Pupils focus on national issues

Clare’s secondary school pupils are being invited to participate in one-day local area fora as part of the 2010 Clare Comhairle na nÓg.
Clare Comhairle na nÓg is a local forum for young people where they can discuss local and national issues of relevance to them. Five local Comhairle delegates proceed to represent Clare in the annual Dáil na nÓg each year along with children from 33 other local authority areas.
The upcoming Fora have been organised by the Clare County Development Board, supported by other local services and organisations and will run from 10am to 3pm the GAA Hall in Scariff on Monday, October 18, at the Bellbridge Hotel in Spanish Point on Thursday, October 21, and at Cois Na hAbhana in Ennis on Thursday, November 4.
Mayor of Clare, councillor Christy Curtin urged students across the county to get involved.
“Comhairle na nÓg has provided representation to a number of initiatives such as Dáil na nÓg. The input of Clare Comhairle na nÓg delegates also have helped to formulate various national policies affecting the lives of young people and children. This proves that the process is effective and does make a difference to the lives of young people,” he said.
The mayor also stressed that now, more than ever, the input of young people should be encouraged.
Meanwhile Seamus Bane, Clare VEC Youth Officer said the purpose of dividing the 2010 Clare Comhairle na nÓg into local area Fora is to ensure that secondary school pupils will be able to discuss matters of relevance to their own local community.
Mr Bane explained that the Government, State agencies and local authorities have developed many policies with substantial input from children and young people and that the upcoming local area fora are part of a long-term plan aimed at improving the ability of Clare’s young people to represent their thoughts and ideas.
Nicola Cullinan, Comhairle na nÓg coordinator, community and enterprise, Clare County Council added that participants in the fora will be facilitated by staff from Clare Youth Service to identify key issues that they would like to see addressed.
At the end of each forum, four to five young people representing U-15 and U-18 will be elected to the Clare Comhairle na nÓg for a period extending to the end of 2011, while the full Comhairle of 20-25 people will be supported to identify and prioritise a small number of key, achievable aims that they will work on over the coming year.
For further information on Comhairle na nÓg or upcoming fora contact Nicola Cullinan at 065 6846222 or dceoff@clarecoco.ie.