Young People’s Committee
What is the Young People’s Committee?
Since 2020, The National Youth Council of Ireland’s Youth 2030: Global Youth Work programme has welcomed a group of young people to support a strong youth participation movement around global justice.
The work of the committee aims to enhance young people’s knowledge, understanding, critical thinking, and participation on global justice issues affecting Ireland and the world. The group will also have the opportunity to review and advise on the relevant work of the Youth 2030: Global Youth Work programme and to lead projects based on global justice issues that matter to them.
The committee sits for a one-year term, after which we hope members will apply the skills and competence developed in other projects and platforms. Committee members can expect to end their term with a greater understanding of local and global justice issues; a better sense of how to think critically about information; an increase in competency skills relevant to the working world; and practical skills for advocacy and campaigning.
Resources
Stop! Wait A Minute! – Critical Social Media Literacy Tool
This interactive tool has been designed by young people for young people, youth workers, educators and youth leaders to explore the concepts of critical thinking and media literary in relation to social media. It recognises the need for well-being practices as the starting point to a critical reflective practice, and is situated in the wider context of people vs big tech.
This tool is for people who are interested in exploring the topic of critical reflection and critical literacy.
This tool:
- Emphasises well-being as a core part of the critical thinking journey.
- Puts a focus on how we personally engage with the wider world especially though the media we consume.
- Encourages us to look up and look out.
- Prompts discussion around media consumption as a systemic issue that requires collective action and institutional change to address it, recognising the unique times we are living in and campaigns such as ‘People vs Big Tech’.
Dear Poverty – exploring poverty through an intersectional lens
This resource has been designed by young people for other young people, youth workers, educators and youth leaders to explore the concept of poverty through the lens of intersectionality, with the intention of contributing to achieving SDG 1: No Poverty. It is a resource for people who are interested in exploring the topic of poverty.
This guide:
- Invites an exploration of identity and intersectionality.
- Introduces the topic of poverty.
- Highlights young voices and stories of young people.
- Uses Spoken Word as a creative tool for exploration and expression of our individual relationship to poverty.
- Highlights Poverty at a Personal, Local, National and Global Level.
- Activities to prompt discussion around the topic of poverty as a systemic issue that requires collective action and systemic change to address it.
Projects
Click the tabs below to explore the previous projects completed by the Young People’s Committee:
‘Dear Poverty’ A focus on SDG 1: No Poverty
Poverty is a complex and interconnected issue. Exploring the intersectional nature of poverty is a step towards understanding the root causes of poverty and tackling inequality. The Young People’s Committee 2022-2023, chose to focus on SDG 1: No Poverty because of a desire to review, reflect, recognise, analyse and identify our perspectives on poverty. The ‘Dear Poverty’ resources are an opportunity for educators, youth workers, volunteers, leaders, and youth work staff a chance to reflect on their own individual perspectives of poverty.
Poverty is an issue affecting young people within our committee on a personal level. In addition to this there is an awareness of the global injustices and inequalities that exist within our local communities and the wider world. Young people are resilient to the challenges that poverty brings to them; this resource is evidence of that. The YPC sees the need to bring the topic of poverty into the light so that it is named, and the shame associated with it is addressed.
1. Listen/Watch the ‘Dear Poverty’ spoken word poem collectively produced by the Young People’s Committee:
2. Check out the Spoken Word Poetry Manual, including individual poems written by the Young People’s Committee, and an outline of the Creative Method of facilitating Spoken Word with young people:
3. Download the written resource on Poverty and Intersectionality, that was developed by the Youth2030 Team in collaboration with the Young People’s Committee:
The world is changing and in order to meet the living requirements for current and future generations, our approach to global development and economic growth has got to change. This video looks at the issue of a Just Transition and highlights some of the fears and hopes of and for young people – today and into the future. It is important that in any change or disruption to the system that those furthest behind are not left behind. Earlier in 2020, alongside former President of Ireland and climate justice champion Mary Robinson, the Young People’s Committee launched a Youth Manifesto on Climate Justice gathering the voices, ideas, and concern of over 400 young people in Ireland on climate change. This video is informed by this work and was first shown at the NESC (www.nesc.ie) run – EEAC (https://eeac.eu/) 2020 conference on Just Transition.
This manifesto is the result of the NYCI Climate Revolution Youth Summit, which saw over 400 young people come together at the RDS, Dublin to discuss Ireland’s response to climate change.
Their message was LOUD and clear ‘young people of Ireland want climate justice!’.
The Youth 2030 Young People’s Committee refined the summit findings, to create this Youth Manifesto on Climate Justice.
Meet the 2023/2024 Committee
Alánna, originally from West Cork is a 3rd year Geoscience student in the University of Galway. Alánna’s favourite Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 14: Life Below Water. This has been reflected in her Climate Change work on a national and international level. Youth participation is at the core of her values and why she chose to apply for the Youth2030 Young People’s Committee.
Aleesha, a youth worker from West Cork, is currently working in the areas of Youth Information, Advocacy and Global Justice for the YMCA. A recent graduate in Politics and French from University College Cork (UCC). She is passionate about environmental issues, equality and mental health, and has been working on these areas in a range of volunteering roles for the past seven years. She is currently on a journey of re-learning Irish as a passion project!
Bel is originally from Nigeria. Now living in Dublin, Bel is passionate about equality, climate justice, mental health advocacy, racial justice, LGBTQ rights and youth participation. Bel likes to take part in debates, public speaking and is part of several vote@16 campaigns. Bel is excited to work with NYCI’s Youth2030 Young People’s Committee. Especially, to connect and work with some amazing young people.
Erin is a law student from Cork with a dedication to business and human rights. She has been an activist in the area since 2019 and is passionate about ensuring that businesses are held responsible for ensuring human rights are protected throughout supply chains.
Lea is based in Gorey, Co. Wexford. Lea is passionate about making change in this world to make it a safer and more equal place for everyone. Lea is on the youth advisory group at BeLonG To.
Lilian is a dedicated advocate for positive change, particularly in Climate and Youth Activism. Lilian focuses on education for sustainable development and connecting people to understand the human aspect in our fight against climate change. Lilian is passionate about cultivating a sustainable future and amplifying the youth voice. Through raising awareness and inspiring action, Lilian aims to contribute to a more environmentally conscious and socially responsible world. Without alienating, without judgement – let’s educate each other, and let’s educate ourselves, to achieve the global goals for sustainable development.
Maebh is a student in Bantry, West Cork. Maebh is the chairperson of Cork county’s Comhairle na nÓg, and a delegate of the National Youth Assembly. Maebh works on lots of projects with the YMCA focusing on SDG 14: Life Under Water and SDG 13: Climate Action.
Marwa is a law student at Maynooth University, who is passionate about using her voice and active youth work. Marwa is a National Youth Assembly delegate and a youth leader within the Irish Refugee Council. As well as a UNHCR advisory board member.
Oisín is a development officer, music facilitator, creative writer, and Irish language/folklore enthusiast. He is currently undertaking the final year of his law degree with UCD. Oisín is a youth leader with Eurobug Int, and also works with Feachtas Óg-Ghluaiseacht Ghaeilge, and DoubleTAKE Music Studio. He is a key member of Spec Chat, an online discussion group for young people to talk about youth issues, as well as the Eurobug Spectrum Chat Podcast. His main objective in youth work is to create accessible spaces for young people to engage in the arts as a method of self-discovery and community engagement.
Presly is of Zimbabwean descent and has been living in Ireland for the past 5 years. He is particularly passionate about child and migrant rights with a focus on SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. As well as taking steps to achieve SDG 13: Climate Action. Presly is an avid volunteer at local and national level. He enjoys sharing and engaging in discussion with different perspectives on societal issues.
Ryan is a Student Activist from Co. Roscommon, Ireland. Ryan’s key work areas are Student Led Activism, Student Rights Advocacy and Mental Health services for young people. As well as the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Shayna is currently studying economics at Trinity College Dublin. Shayna has a specific interest in developmental economics and finance. Shayna loves to make positive change in the world!
Funder Information
The Young People’s Committee is funded by the Irish Aid, Concern Worldwide, and Trócaire.
