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:
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’.
Download the written resource on Critical Social Media Literacy, Attention Capitalism and Well-being, that was developed by the Youth2030 Team in collaboration with 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 2024/2025 Committee
Alexandra is a student from Co. Wexford. Alexandra was presented with a Garda Youth Award for work with her local youth group. Alexandra is passionate about SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 13: Climate Action.
Ben is a third-year university student in UCD studying History and Politics from Wicklow. He is passionate about environmental action, energy efficiency, and social justice. He got involved in the NYCI – the YPC in particular – to discuss, debate, and learn about youth issues and meet like-minded people!
Chloe is from Nenagh in County Tipperary. Chloe is a youth mental health advocate, who is driven to break stigma, build support, and amplify young voices. Chloe’s passion is rooted in empathy and is focused on resilience and real change.
Dawsyn (he /him ) is officially from Waterford but grew up in Galway and he is currently studying acting and theatre performance in Galway Community College . He is passionate about advocating for LGBTQI + rights and Transgender rights and Mental Health in Ireland , He recently became a published author with his poems advocating for all rights.
Ebere is an activist and law student at Maynooth University. She is passionate about social justice issues and human rights. She advocates for equity and inclusion. Ebere believes in using intersectionality as a tool and framework to understand social justice issues and is excited to bring that perspective to the Young People Committee. Ebere also loves travelling and has been to 17 countries, 30 before 30!
Currently studying History and Politics in Dublin. Interested in promoting wider participation in third-level education through alternative access routes and schemes. Previously volunteered with the ESC and have undertaken Erasmus Projects promoting youth political participation in Sweden and Romania, and hoping that more young people in Ireland will take up opportunities available to EU citizens.
Emilie is a recent graduate from a BSc in Sustainability with Environmental Science. She is also a co-founder of UCD’s Sustainability Society, founded in 2023. Throughout her degree she completed multiple projects and research based on the SDGs, with a particular focus on SDG 15: Life on Land, SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 13: Climate Action.
Farrah (she/her) is a student in Kinsale, County Cork, aswell as a member of Comhairle na nÓg in Cork City. Farrah is passionate about politics, particularly housing and equality. Farrah is thrilled to work with the National Youth Council of Ireland in advocating for young people’s rights and appreciating the privilege in being able to voice concern.
Franek is a student and youth activist from Co. Carlow studying Climate and Environmental Sustainability in DCU, focusing his work on youth engagement in government and climate action. Having over 5 years of experience working from local to international initiatives, Franek has served as Carlow Comhailre na nÓg’s chairperson, works as an An Taisce Climate Ambassador, Volunteer with Spunout, participated in the “Change the World” MUN in Paris 2024 and works on various programs with NYCI. In 2025 Franek was nominated by NYCI to represent the EU-Youth Dialogue on the National Youth Assembly of Ireland.
Hello my name is Jack, I’m 19 and from Dublin. I’m on a gap year and starting college in September. I’m currently a youth advocate with jigsaw and sit on a national committee, I’m a Spunout action panel member, and I recently got accepted for the Local Champions project for 2025 to represent Fingal.
Jennifer, adopted from Vietnam and proud to be Irish, is from County Clare. She is passionate about Climate Justice and Equality. Jennifer is a member of TeenTurn, a youth organisation that encourages young women in STEM. She loves seeing equality in all areas of life and being a part of change.
Sabrina is a recent Business and Economics graduate from Trinity College Dublin. She is on the Youth Advisory Panel of the National Women’s Council of Ireland. She has led projects focused on SDG 3 (good health) and SDG 5 (gender equality). Sabrina is passionate about placing young people’s voices at the heart of every solution, which is why she joined the committee to engage with and empower youth across Ireland.
Sarah, is a 6th year student in County Louth. She is passionate about SDG 13: Climate action and about creating spaces for young people. She got involved in the YPC to learn more about the NYCI and National issues affecting young people on the island of Ireland.
Seanán (he/him) is a 16 year old TY student from Newbridge, Co. Kildare. Seanán is involved with the YPC through Ógras, a youth club that runs through the Irish Language. Seanán’s main goals are working with SDG 4: Quality Education, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Funder Information
The Young People’s Committee is funded by the Irish Aid, Concern Worldwide, and Trócaire.
