Junior Ministers urge young people to make "The Call"

Junior Ministers Gerry Kelly and Jeffrey Donaldson are urging young people to make the call to find out what government is doing for them.

The Ministers were speaking at an awareness seminar today for MLAs which highlighted the importance of involving young people in policy decisions which affect them.

They also launched a young people’s version of their ten-year Strategy for Children and Young People which takes the shape of a mobile phone. It young people who came up with the concept of using the phone shape after taking part in a consultation process.

Gerry Kelly added: “We have made it clear that children and young people are one of the groups we want to give priority to. I have found it very interesting to hear directly from young people what their concerns are.

“Often, the points they raise would not be the first thing that we as adults would think of as important. This has highlighted to me the importance of involving children and young people when making decisions about the things that will affect them.”

Along with the Strategy a fold-out leaflet which lists the rights of children under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child was launched. The documents will be delivered to students in post-primary schools and Further Education Colleges over the next few weeks.

Jeffrey Donaldson said: “Participation is central to the Ministerial Sub-Committee’s priorities for children and young people and that is why we called on their expertise to help us produce a version of the strategy for older children.

“We need their views, opinions and insight to help us make the decisions which are right for them. That is why listening to the voice of young people will underpin the work of the Ministerial Sub-Committee and the associated sub-groups.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The two Junior Ministers have responsibility for the co-ordination of policy for children and young people.
2. A copy of the phone and rights leaflet will be sent to every post-primary school child.
3. Versions are also accessible on the Children and Young People's Unit website: www.allchildrenni.gov.uk
4. Young people from the National Children’s Bureau, Belfast who helped with the text for the phone document were also present at the event.
5. The awareness seminar was delivered by the Participation Network.
6. 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.