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City/County Development Boards across Ireland have been given responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the National Children’s Strategy at local level. The primary goal of this Strategy is to ensure that, ‘ children will have a voice in matters which affect them and their views will be given due weigh in accordance with their age and maturity.”

The fifth annual Comhairle na nÓg event hosted by Sligo County Development Board took place in the Clarion Hotel on Tuesday, December 5th 2006.  The purpose of the Comhairle na nOg event is to give young people a voice at a local level and to elect youth representatives to go forward to represent the views of their peers at the annual Dail na nOg event organised under the auspices of the Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Children, Mr Brian Lenihan TD. 

On the day 58 young participants representing Sligo secondary schools and youth groups took part in Sligo’s Comhairle na nOg.  5 delegates were elected to represent Sligo.  The participants also elected 8 new members to join the Sligo Youth Council, which were established in March of this year.

Proceedings started off with a welcome and introduction in the main hall by Siobhan Gillen from the Community & Enterprise Dept of Sligo County Council who welcomed all present and gave a brief run through of the day ahead for all the young participants.

Adrian Clarke, Chairman of Sligo Youth Council spoke on his experience within the Youth Council since it was first established in March 2006 - “My association with Sligo Youth Council finds its roots in the event that you are taking part in today.  I listened to the speeches highlighting the need for change, the lack of a forum for opinions and the supposed possibilities.  Today I can tell you that a forum for such opinions has been established, change has been adopted and the once possibilities are now realities”. 

Gavin Cawley member of Sligo Youth Council who represented Sligo at the National Dail na nOg event on March 25th, 2006 highlighted his experience to the participants.  “Remember that this isn’t just one day of entertainment; this is a long term plan with the goal of improving the ability of Ireland’s young people to represent their thoughts and ideas. I take part in Sligo Youth Council for that reason”

A series of discussions and interactive workshops followed, which allowed the participants to explore the two topics tabled for discussion at the national Dail na nOg event. These were ‘Road Safety’ and ‘Equality’.  The workshops provided an ideal opportunity for young people to exchange their views, get to know one another better and develop a series of recommendations in relation to the topics.

Following lunch, Aisling Smyth from the Community and Enterprise Dept of Sligo County Council, conducted a plenary/feedback session with all the young participants. 

In relation to Road Safety, some of the main points highlighted as the cause of road fatalities were drug & drink driving, speed, over confidence, racers, ignoring the law, nobody paying attention to adverts and “It won’t happen to me” attitude.  Their recommendations for reducing road fatalities were improving road conditions and better signage, continuous testing once license held and more education in schools and television highlighting exactly what happens to people in accidents whether fatal or not.

In relation to Equality, some of the main points highlighted were: Equal rights for all people, Fairness to everyone, Respect, Equal Opportunities, Free speech and Understanding.  Sligo’s youth feel that the most common forms of discrimination in Ireland today are Racism, Sexism: Gender & Sexual Orientation, Ageism, Disability and Social.

Following the feedback session, Cathaoirleach Cllr Jimmy McGarry gave the participants a short address.  He encouraged them to continue taking opportunities to let their voices be heard.  He also stressed that young people can inject a different way of thinking and provide a fresh pair of eyes to the manner in which issues or problems are viewed.  He discussed the two themes set and explained the importance of their views into these issues.

Mayor Cllr Tom McSharry reiterated the words of the Cathaoirleach and he spoke of the importance events such as Dail na nOg and Comhairle na nOg have to young people’s personal development.

The final phase of the day was the election results.  The Sligo Youth Council now consists of the following dedicated members who will hold membership for a term of up to 2 years:

Five delegates were also chosen from within the Sligo Youth Council to represent Sligo at the National Dáil na nÓg event to be held in Croke Park, Dublin on Saturday February 17th 2007 namely:

Congratulations were expressed to all members both Dail na nOg representatives and Sligo Youth Council members.

Sligo County Development Board wishes to thank the following agencies and staff for their assistance in the event.  These include Shane Hayes of the Sligo Sports and Recreation Partnership, Daniel Chester of CLASP, Philip White of Northside CDP, Aidan McGuinness and Sean O’Hara who represented the Sligo Gardai, Paul Maguire of North Connaught Youth Services, Sarah Wetherald of Sligo LEADER Partnership Co, Ann Marie Kelly and Nicola McHugh who represented Foroige, Joan McGrath of the Sligo County Childcare Committee and finally Ciara O’Hara, Geraldine Timlin, Siobhan Gillen, Aisling Smyth, Rosaleen Keane and Marie Brennan of Sligo County Council

Download The Comhairle na nOg 2007 report - 2,339 kbs which has just been published.

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