19.07.2010
Hundreds of Members of Youth Parliament from across the UK are coming to Belfast this week to take part in a national youth summit. For the first time in its history, the UK Youth Parliament will be holding its annual sitting in Northern Ireland. Over 300 Members of Youth Parliament, aged 11-18, will gather together to address the issues that matter most to young people.
The four day summit will see debates on the environment, health, crime and education. Other issues expected to top the agenda include lowering the voting age to 16, and transport provision for young people. As part of the summit, the Members of Youth Parliament will visit Stormont Castle and hear from a number of high profile speakers.
The sitting will take place at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown Campus, from the 23rd to 26th July and the event is being held in partnership with the Northern Ireland Youth Forum.
Connor Morgan, 18 years-old, from County Derry, commented,
"Being a Member of Youth Parliament provides a voice for the young people in my area, and I look forward to putting ideas and opinions to my fellow colleagues from all across the UK".
Alex Huston, 16 years-old, from Belfast, said,
"The UK Youth Parliament is a wonderful institution for the young people of this country. It is great that the Annual Sitting for the Parliament is being held in Northern Ireland, and shows how far Northern Ireland has come."
Andy Hamflett, Chief Executive of the UK Youth Parliament, said,
“We are seriously thrilled to be holding our Annual Sitting in Northern Ireland for the first time, and during preparations have already been made to feel hugely welcome. Despite the financial pressures everywhere, we’ll have more delegates attending this Annual Sitting than ever before, which just goes to show how important youth democracy and engagement is seen to be. We look forward to a fantastic, vibrant and positive weekend learning from young people and helping to provide them with more high profile opportunities to have their voices heard.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- The summit is being held at University of Ulster, Jordanstown Campus, Belfast from 23rd – 26th July 2010.
- For interviews, photographs, comments or programme information contact Fiona McKinstrie, Press Officer, on 020 7553 9894/07507 603378 or email fiona.mckinstrie@ukyouthparliament.org.uk
- The UK Youth Parliament gives young people a voice on issues that matter to them.
- 600,000 young people take part in the UK Youth Parliament elections each year.
- Over 600 young people are elected as Members of the UK Youth Parliament. They work to ensure that the voices of young people are heard at a national, regional and local level.
- For further details on the UK Youth Parliament please refer to http://www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk/ and for further details on the Northern Ireland Youth Forum please refer to http://www.niyf.org
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