Irish youth delegates bring fresh voices to Brussels
Four members of the National Youth Assembly are joining policymakers and experts at a conference on democratic participation. The event, organised under Ireland's EU Council presidency, examines public trust and civic engagement.
Four young people from Ireland's National Youth Assembly are joining policymakers, researchers and civil society representatives in Brussels for a conference on democratic participation across the EU.
The delegates, from Mayo, Carlow, Cork and Dublin, are attending as guests of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU. The event takes place on 12 November at the Justus Lipsius Building and is organised with the Council's General Secretariat.
Minister of State Marian Harkin, who is opening the conference, said: “Resilient and inclusive democracies depend on active citizens and meaningful opportunities for participation.”
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley said the gathering offered an opportunity to share experiences and strengthen civic engagement across Europe. She welcomed the young delegates' role in shaping local, national and European democracies.
European Commissioner Michael McGrath and Art O'Leary, chief executive of An Coimisiún Toghcháin, will give keynote addresses. Panels will examine democratic resilience, public trust and ways to involve people who feel excluded from political decisions.
The conference supports Ireland's presidency priority of promoting EU values and follows work on Council conclusions on inclusive participation and community resilience.