Youth Assembly Members Vote to Focus on Health, Education and Rights and Equality During Their Mandate

On Saturday 24 February, 90 young people from across Northern Ireland came together for the second sitting of the 2023-2025 Northern Ireland Youth Assembly.

Today’s sitting, chaired by the Assembly Speaker, Edwin Poots MLA, was an opportunity for Members to debate and discuss the top issues affecting children and young people, as identified by over 1,800 young people who responded to the Youth Assembly’s recent Big Youth Survey. Members voted today to select Health, Education and Rights and Equality as the three issues that will form the basis for the establishment of the Youth Assembly Committees.

Speaking after today’s sitting, the Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots MLA said: “I was delighted to be here to chair my first sitting of the Youth Assembly.  

“Today, Youth Assembly Members eloquently and intelligently debated the issues that affect them and children and young people from throughout Northern Ireland. It was an important opportunity for them to have their voice heard and to shape the work that they will undertake during their mandate”.

The Speaker continued: “There are clearly a number of crucial issues and concerns affecting our local children and young people, as exemplified by the 1,800 who responded to the Youth Assembly’s Big Youth Survey. All of these issues are important and while it is not possible for the Youth Assembly to focus on everything, I’m delighted that they have selected Health, Education, Rights and Equality.  They will now focus on these issues, including through committees and I know that they will work diligently to explore these issues and to find solutions to seek to improve the lives of all young people living here.  It is positive that the Youth Assembly will do this at a time when the Assembly itself is back to business.

The Speaker concluded: “I look forward to continuing to work with the Youth Assembly and I’m sure all Assembly Members will join me in pledging their support to them during their time in office”.  

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• The Youth Assembly’s Big Youth Survey was aimed at all young people aged 12-21 in Northern Ireland. The survey was sent to Youth Assembly Members, the Youth Assembly Consultation Forum, MLAs, the Speaker’s Advisory Group and every post-primary school and college in Northern Ireland. In addition, it was promoted widely through youth networks and the Youth Assembly’s social media channels. It was live for the period 8 January to 26 January 2024. You can read the Big Youth Survey Summary Report here:

• The application process for the Youth Assembly opened on Monday 25 September and closed at 5pm on Monday 16 October 2023.

• The selection process was co-designed with young people to ensure that it is as open and fair as possible. 90 Members were selected at random to ensure that young people from all constituencies, Section 75 groups and other communities are represented. 

• The Youth Assembly Members are young people currently in School Years 9 -12.

• It is envisaged that the Youth Assembly will have at least two plenary sittings a year and have up to four Committees, which will meet more regularly.

• The plenary sittings will take place in Parliament Buildings and will be presided over by the Speaker in the Assembly Chamber.

• The Committees of the Youth Assembly may also meet in Parliament Buildings, but it is expected that they will also meet in other locations, including virtually.

• Comprehensive safeguarding measures and protections will be put in place, including training and support for the members of the Youth Assembly and all those working with them.

• Find out more about the Northern Ireland Youth Assembly on their website and by following on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

For media queries please contact:

Sinead Murphy

The Communications Office

Northern Ireland Assembly

Mobile: 0789 9864 368 Email: Sinead.murphy@niassembly.gov.uk