Young people speak out on social issues

Last week students from schools in Northern Ireland, across Belfast, Antrim and Derry, gathered with teams from Donegal, Louth and Monaghan at Belfast City Hall to ‘speak out’ on the social issues that concern them as part of the Young Social Innovators’ ‘All Island Speak Out’ tour. 

Young people were welcomed to City Hall by Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, and the event was opened by the Minister for Education, John O’Dowd, alongside 300 young people and representatives of voluntary and community organisations. The audience heard creative presentations on issues ranging from mental health, bullying, and suicide awareness to preventing childhood obesitywiththe young people highlighting the practical steps they are taking to tackle them as part of their YSI project. 

This year’s programme culminates with the Annual Showcase of Young Social Innovators on May 7 in Dublin.