Young people to share their vision for Northern Ireland's society
More than 30 young people had the opportunity to tell key political representatives their hopes and aspirations for Northern Ireland, at a 'hearing' organised by Save the Children
Friday 2 May 2008
The young people, aged between 14 and 17, had the opportunity to talk with Junior Ministers Jeffrey Donaldson and Gerry Kelly and tell them about the type of society they want the Executive to build. Patricia Lewsley, the Commissioner for Children and Young People, also attended the event.
The teenagers discussed a number of themes, based on more than 600 responses to the question, 'What sort of society do you want Northern Ireland to be in the future?', which was included in the 2007 Northern Ireland Young Life and Times Survey.
Among the responses to the survey were the following comments:
"A happy society where everyone lives in happiness together, no discrimination or racism"
"Where everybody can live comfortably and have all their basic needs catered for"
"Everyone should have someone to turn to"
"In the future, NI should be a safer, more understanding and happy society. Every person should have equal rights"
Alex Tennant, Head of Policy and Research at Save the Children said: "It is vital that political representatives make a point of listening to the opinions of children and young people.
"It is particularly important for this Executive, which has itself the goal of 'building a better future', to hear directly from young people about the sort of future they would like them to build.
"Children and young people have an important role to play in our society. We should be listening to them now - we can't wait until they have a vote before taking their views on board."
Find out more
- Read about Save the Children's work in Northern Ireland
- Save the Children's Asia director makes first visit to Northern Ireland
