About the Youth in Government Programme

Youth in Government is a citizenship programme for 15-18-year-olds and gives young people the chance to interview politicians, challenge political parties, and examine issues that matter.

For years politics in Northern Ireland has been dominated by divisive constitutional issues and confrontational politics. While these issues are important, this obsession with our divisions, and the democratic deficit resulting from almost three decades of direct rule from Westminster, has left most young people disillusioned with politics.

It is essential that young people understand the issues, processes, rights and responsibilities of citizenship and democracy. We cannot afford to leave the future of Northern Ireland solely in the hands of those whose only model is the failed politics of the past.

Youth in Government is a fairly intensive year-long programme that includes:

Weekly Meetings - These are used to explore issues of culture, community, citizenship and politics. We hold events including a Party Political Conference at which you get information on party manifestos and access to local politicians. These meetings may also be used for research and project work on political issues you feel are important to young people in Northern Ireland. In the past participants have looked at issues such as parades, policing, prisoners, drugs, abortion and homelessness.

Residentials - The first of these will focus on team-building exercises and look at the general issues of culture and community. The second will be used to look at political structures in more detail. We focus on the Assembly and its relationship to the British and Irish governments, as well as studying party politics in Northern Ireland.

Community Placement - This is your chance to look at an issue which is a high priority in your local area. You are placed with an agency concerned with that issue and spend three weeks helping them with their work - for example, someone living in North Belfast who identifies drugs as an issue might be placed with the Dunlewey Drugs Advice Centre. After the three weeks we hold a Youth Community Forum where everyone presents what they learned on placement to the rest of the group.

Study Visits - These are visits to places or people that interest you and include trips to the Dail and Westminster. For maximum learning experience, an international exchange visit to a Youth in Government programme in the USA is also possible.

Model Assembly @ Stormont - This is the culmination of the programme where we take over the debating chamber at Stormont for two days. Each member of the group presents their reports and we vote on all the issues that have been researched just like the regular Norhtern Ireland Assembly.

Youth in Government not only gives you the chance to take part in all this, but also gives you the opportunity to gain an OCR qualification in communication and leadership skills.

Past participants have all grown in confidence, not just in themselves but also in their ability to make a difference in Northern Ireland. Some are helping to lead the current cycle of Youth in Government, some are taking responsibility in community initiatives, both within the YMCA and in the broader community, and others are pursuing youth leader qualifications.

Here''s what some of them had to say:

“Youth in Government challenged me to think about where my views came from. I had to ask myself why I had chosen to believe certain things and realise what influenced me to do so.”

“I met lots of interesting people from different backgrounds - youth workers, politicians, community workers and community groups. It helped me see the bigger picture and move away from some of my narrow-minded thinking.”

“The Model Council was fantastic. We talked about a lot of important issues over the year, but it was in the Model Council that we really felt like we were achieving something.”

Youth in Government is a chance for you to make your voice heard. Come join us this year, and take control of your future!

YEAH!!!