Dáil na nÓg 2022 sees representation by local activist
Last Saturday, over 200 young people from across Ireland came together to tackle a wide range of issues under the overarching theme of equality at Dáil na nÓg 2022. Amongst them was Mitchelstown activist Amy O’Brien.
2022 marks the 20th anniversary of the biennial event which platforms the voices of young people on the issues which matter most to them. The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman met the political minds at the event, the theme of which, ‘Equality’ was chosen by young people as the area of most importance to them.
This year’s event explored that theme as young people, through their local youth councils, the Comhairle na nÓg, have been investigating the challenges and opportunities in a range of areas include mental health, climate change, body image, drugs and alcohol, youth facilities, and LGBTIQ+ issues.
Amy spoke to TheAvondhu about Dáil na nÓg.
“I am Cork County Comhairle na nOg’s (the youth equivalent of Cork County Council) National Executive, which means I represent the young people of Cork County nationally at the youth version of the Dáil. I work with 31 other National Executives (one per council) on a topic, and I was twice elected chair before, so I’m really excited to have officially started last Saturday at Dail na nOg!”
Under the overall theme of ‘equality’, the young people voted to debate and discuss the topic of ‘ More inclusive relationships and sexuality education’. Before the vote, they explored two other options (inequality issues and barriers to education, and addressing gender inequality) through activities and workshops.
A panel discussion at this year’s event saw discussions with Cllr Yemi Adenuga, Ireland’s first black female elected representative who represents Meath. Also attending were RTÉ Radio DJ and LGBTQI+ advocate Stephen Byrne, Children’s Rights Alliance CEO Tanya Ward, and Aoife Price, a disability advocate with Disability Women Ireland. The panel engaged in an insightful and exciting discussion on the theme of equality from a variety of different perspectives.
Ms O’Brien recounted that the panel were ‘incredible’ and she learned a lot from them.
However, the best thing about the day was meeting her colleagues in person!
“I was surprised how incredible the panel were and I learned a lot about the theme, equality, from each of the four panelists’ answers. It was also a really inspiring end to the day! I think the biggest, most special takeaway from the day for me was 100% meeting all the advocates, activists and other young people across the country that I had met, organised with and worked with over and over again online; meeting them in person was so brilliant and it was so much fun!”