The seminar was hosted by The Participation Network in association with the Civil Service’s Centre for Applied Learning in the Stormont Hotel.
The Participation Network is an initiative supported by OFMDFM, which has been developed to support statutory agencies, local government and government departments to engage effectively with children and young people in the public decision-making process.
Speaking at the event Gerry Kelly said: “I believe that our young people have a valuable part to play in public life….. They enrich our lives, not just in our homes and families, but in relation to what they can contribute to society as a whole.
“Government, be it central or local, must strive to find better ways and means to seek the views and listen to the concerns of our children and young people.
“A lesson that I, and I am sure all parents, are very well aware of is that what we as adults assume our children and young people think can be very different from what they actually think and it is only by listening to them that we can really learn their views.
“I believe this lesson is one that we in government can take on board to good effect.”
The Participation Network was introduced as part of the government’s commitment to the requirements in Article 12 of the United Nations Conventions of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act.
Notes to Editors:
- The seminar was held in the Stormont Hotel, Belfast and was attended by officials from the Northern Ireland Civil Service.
- As Junior Minister, Gerry Kelly has joint responsibility with Jeffrey Donaldson for the co-ordination of policy for children and young people.
- Junior Minister Donaldson was unable to attend the event due to a prior engagement.
- Media enquiries to OFMDFM Press Office, (028) 9037 8283 or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number on 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
