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.
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 2022/2023 Committee
Abdulai is originally from Freetown Sierra Leone, and has experience living in a Direct Provision centre in Longford. He is an ardent Asylum seeker, refugee, and migrant activist – advocating for their rights to be respected, promoted, and protected with dignity and compassion. He is currently studying Law (LLB Hons).
Aisling is from Tipperary and currently studying Law with Politics in UCD. She’s an avid volunteer and has been involved in youth and climate activism at local, national, and international levels.
Aoife is studying for a Masters in Politics at Queen’s University Belfast. With a passion for justice growing up, she is interested in all things democracy and creating opportunities for young people to get involved with making change.
Barry is studying Geography and Politics in Trinity College Dublin. His main passion is access to education, having entered college through the Trinity Access Programme himself. He also strives to create equality across our society.
Chris is passionate about youth activism and politics. His focuses are on issues surrounding poverty and how to incorporate youth voices into high-level discussions and solutions.
Emikeh has been a member of many different Youth Clubs, which have helped her learn leadership skills as well as how to influence and be intuitive in her activism. She hopes to bring a deepened awareness to issues that the Young People’s Committee believe in.
Fatima is originally from Sudan and has been living in Ireland for nearly 5 years. Fatima strives to be part of solutions that encourage, aid, and support young people to make positive environmental change.
Kevin’s interests are in international relations, which he is currently studying in university. He is adept at several foreign languages, which he hopes will aid his dream of serving Ireland as a diplomat abroad.
Mary works as the Community Link Officer for the CRC in Dublin and recently graduated from Trinity College Dublin in an MPhil in race, ethnicity and conflict. She is passionate about increasing awareness on intersectionality and inclusion.
Sarah is a second-year law student at Trinity College Dublin. She entered college through the HEAR program, and thus is interested in socioeconomic rights. She is also passionate about making college more accessible and inclusive for all.
Scott has worked in the area of youth advocacy for a number of years, across a variety of different organisations. He has been a youth advisor for SpunOut, GOAL and Plan Ireland. He is also a member of the Community Foundation for Ireland’s Youth Advisory Panel, which assesses grant applications for organisations which work with young people.
Shauna is a young writer and an activist. They enjoy exploring the link between spoken word and youth activism.
Sibéal works to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to be heard and to make a positive impact, particularly through the Irish language and the universal language of music.
Funder Information
The Young People’s Committee is funded by the Irish Aid, Concern Worldwide, and Trócaire.
