Comhairle na nÓg 2008

2008 was a busy year for South Dublin Comhairle na nÓg, as we saw eight members of South Dublin County Comhairle na nÓg representing SDCC at Dáil na nÓg in February. Delegates from Comhairle na nÓg are elected to represent their local area at the annual Dáil na nÓg (National Youth Parliament) which is organised by the National Youth Council of Ireland and funded by the Office of the Minister for Children. This event had substantial media coverage and some of our members were interviewed on the Pat Kenny Radio Show, NewsTalk 106, and also appeared on Ireland AM. Gemma Harding, Vice-Chairperson of Comhairle na nÓg was elected to the Dáil na nÓg Youth Council, which will progress the recommendations made by young people in attendance.

The ‘Feast or Famine’ Poverty Awareness Campaign was launched in March, an initiative supported by the Social Inclusion Unit of South Dublin County Council to increase awareness levels amongst 2nd level students of poverty in our county.

Works were also completed on the Comhairle na nÓg Student Council Network website. This website was developed to allow student councils within the county keep in touch with each other and let each other know what is going on within their school councils. http://www.studentcouncilnetwork.ie/ With the support of Connect we have offered Student Councils across South Dublin County the opportunity to develop and build their own website. Over 40 entries were received from schools and youth organisations across South Dublin County for a Youth Council Logo Competition. ‘Making Connections’ – a workshop between Comhairle na nÓg, the County Development Board and the Children’s Services Committee also took place in March 2008. The workshop had two objectives: To open dialogue between these three groups and to begin the consultation process around developing a County Recreation Strategy for Young People.