Groups from more than 30 schools made lively two-minute pitches for innovative social action
FROM JEDWARD and Jolie, to drugs awareness and a paint recycling project, the Young Social Innovators (YSI) proved yesterday that the youth of Ireland cares.
Enthusiasm, excitement and fun were the themes for the day as over 600 young people from 30 schools gathered at Griffith College in Dublin to take part in a YSI “speak-out”. Each group had two minutes on stage to give a flavour of what they had learned and achieved after undertaking a social action project as part of the YSI programme.
The programme, founded by Sr Stanislaus Kennedy and businesswoman Rachel Collier, began in Dublin in 2002 and aims to develop social awareness and activism among young
people. Patrons include Irish rugby international Denis Hickie, John O’Shea of Manchester United, singer Sharon Corr and former president Mary Robinson.
In all, 185 schools and 6,000 students have carried out 400 projects under the scheme this year.
They will all participate in speak-outs around the country and 60 projects will be chosen to take part in the YSI showcase in Croke Park in May. The winning team will receive a grant toward developing their project.
Speaking in advance of yesterday’s event, Minister for Children Barry Andrews told participants he does listen to what they have to say and their views affect policy.
“It is good sense to listen to what young people have to say on issues that affect them,” he said.
Fergus Finlay, chief executive of Barnardos, told the young people they deserved to be listened to because of the quality of their convictions and the quality of their messages.
“You have a tremendous opportunity not just to shape Ireland . . . but to shape the world,” he said.
Sr Stanislaus said young people were a very important voice for justice, peace, equality and dignity.
“Irish society is changing. It is more open now than ever before to the rights and opinions of young people. Use the experience you have gained through Young Social Innovators to influence the shape of our society,” she said.
Among the liveliest projects was S peak out before we burn outfrom Our Lady of Mercy College in Beaumont, north Dublin.
Their two-minute pitch on conservation featured a celebrity line-up including Bono, Miley Cyrus, Angelina Jolie, Lady Gaga and Jedward all giving tips on how to conserve energy and water and save the planet.
Ardscoil na Trionóide, from Athy, Co Kildare, tackled two problems at once by collecting unwanted paint that was often illegally dumped and redistributing it to groups such as the a youth club and rugby club.
And, echoing the mood of the occasion, the team from Dominican College, Wicklow, preached Vida la Vidato help tackle the problems of teenagers.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS THE VERDICT ON POLITICS AND POLITICIANS
DENISE ASHE (15)
Loreto College, Crumlin
“All I know about politics is what happened to our school. We petitioned for a sports hall last year, but it was a waste of our time. It was a huge petition; the whole school was involved and we sent letters to the Ministers. The Ministers even came to the school and listened to what we had to say and then just did nothing about it. It felt like they didn’t seem to care about what we thought because to us the sports hall was really important. They came just to keep us happy, but they didn’t do anything about it.”
LOUISE KAVANAGH
Mount Anville, South Dublin
“The nation doesn’t really have a lot of faith in the politicians. The Government are doing their best, but with the amount of politicians that are dropping out and the stories that are being uncovered it is very unsettling for the Irish public.
“I think if they really worked together and concentrated on the things that are important they would be able to do a better job.
“Adults are a lot more down about the recession, more than young people; I think young people are coming up with solutions to the problems that have been created by their parents. They have the energy and the ideas to lead the country on and keep our spirits up.”
NICHOLAS BETTS (17)
Catholic University School, Dublin
“Politicians aren’t allowing us to figure out what is going on. They are all fighting over each other and you can’t really see what their full policy is. They are trying to play mind games with each other instead of working together and improving the economy.
“I’m worried about gang culture and drugs in Ireland. You hear of all of these killings; they used to be by accident or once off, but now there are constant killings from gangland crime.
“The knife culture from England has also come across. It is very worrying.”
FIONA TALLON (16)
Loreto College, Balbriggan
“I don’t really know anything about politics; it’s not really geared toward young people, but it needs to be. Drugs have become too common, and murders and crime. A murder used to be first on the news, now it is third or fourth. YSI gives you a voice and helps you change things.”
