Junior Ministers Seek Young People's Views

Young people are being asked if government is doing enough for them on issues such as their health, rights and safety.

Junior Ministers Gerry Kelly and Robin Newton are inviting youth groups and organisations to encourage young people to take part in a new consultation process for a three year action plan for children and young people.

“Our desire is to secure a better society and future for our children and young people. We have already put a ten year strategy in place to tackle issues such as: learning; contributing positively to society and community; and economic and environmental well-being,” said Junior Minister Kelly.

“We have recently agreed a three year action plan for this strategy which, because priorities and issues for children and young people can change, will be a ‘living document’ which can be developed and built upon.

“It is this living document which we are now asking young people to get involved in. We are particularly keen that they are able to influence future work that affects them and tell us whether we are doing the right things,” explained Mr Kelly.

Junior Minister Newton said: “We are asking organisations committed to participation, to hold a workshop with the children and young people they work with so that they can tell us what they think.

“To help with this, Participation Network has helped develop a young people’s version of the action plan which is available on their and our websites.

“It is not always easy explaining these issues but we hope this version will encourage them to take part and tell us what they think. The consultation will then culminate with a major conference later this year so that policymakers can hear feedback from the workshops,” he added.

Notes to Editors:

1. The three year action plan sets out what all eleven departments, the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Court Service will do to deliver on the aims of the 10 Year Strategy for Children and Young People.

2. The plan will also be the main vehicle for taking forward the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. A young people’s version of the UN Committee’s Concluding Observations examination of the UK is also available. Further copies can be downloaded from the Children and Young People's Unit’s website. The responses received from children and young people will feed into setting Northern Ireland’s priorities for addressing the Concluding Observations.

3. The Children and Young People's Action Plan, the young people’s versions of the action plan and the UN Committee’s Concluding Observations can be found on www.allchildrenni.gov.uk

4. Information is also available on www.participationnetwork.org

5. All media enquiries to OFMDFM Press Office on 028 9052 1375. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.