Could you be a politician of the future? Young people wanted to join Youth Assembly

The Northern Ireland Youth Assembly is seeking young people from Newry and Armagh in Year 9-12 to apply to become members of the 2023 -2025 Youth Assembly.

The Youth Assembly, which was founded in 2021, is an opportunity for young people to share their views on issues of importance to them and to directly influence decisions taken by the Northern Ireland Assembly and other key policy makers.

The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Alex Maskey said, “I am delighted to announce that applications to the Youth Assembly are now open. It has been an absolute privilege for me to work with the inaugural Youth Assembly, which ran from 2021 -2023.  During that time, I, and indeed many others, have been impressed by the enthusiasm with which the Youth Assembly Members grasped the platform they had, and the insights and fresh thinking they provided. 

“Our previous Youth Assembly Members worked tirelessly to explore, debate and make recommendations on a number of important societal issues such as climate change, education, mental health and the rights of children and young people. They provided the perspective of young people to a wide range of public bodies and decision makers and have certainly laid a positive path for the new intake of Members.  I have no doubt that this new intake of young people will make the second Youth Assembly a resounding success.” 

During their two-year term, Youth Assembly Members will meet regularly in Parliament Buildings, in meetings chaired by the Assembly Speaker. They will also participate in focussed committee meetings to discuss their ideas, views and recommendations in greater detail. 

Young people who are selected to be part of the Youth Assembly will be offered a range of training and support. This will include learning about how the Assembly works, making presentations, conducting research and talking to experts about issues of concern.

Newry and Armagh Youth Assembly Member (2021-2023), Andrew Martin from Loughgall said: “It has been a pleasure to serve as a Member of the Northern Ireland Youth Assembly.  The Youth Assembly provides a space for young people from every background to have their voices heard in politics. I found the Youth Assembly Committees especially useful as they are tailored to your interests and provide an opportunity to engage with key stakeholders in that policy area.

“Being a Member of the Youth Assembly helped me to secure a place on the Washington Ireland Program Class of 2023. This is a prestigious cross community program aimed at developing promising leaders seeking to build a peaceful and prosperous future for Northern Ireland and Ireland. I would strongly encourage anyone who is Years 9-12 apply to be a Youth Assembly Member.”

Selection of Youth Assembly members will ensure that young people from all constituencies and Section 75 categories are represented. Those who are not selected to become members will still be able to take part in the Youth Assembly Consultation Forum. This group will support the work of the Youth Assembly as the first point of contact for Youth Assembly members as they research and collate the views of young people.

Speaker Maskey concluded, “I am genuinely looking forward to meeting the new members of the Youth Assembly and seeing the enthusiasm that I know they will bring to their roles. This is a vital opportunity for young people to not only use their voice to influence directly on policy-making and the legislative process, but also to give a voice to all of our children and young people here. 

“I would encourage all young people to consider this opportunity to make their voice heard in shaping a better, brighter future for all.”