May 2025
Exams are in full swing, but that hasn’t stopped our Youth Assembly Members from making waves. Read on to see what they’ve been up to!
Youth Assembly Committee Updates
Rights and Equality Committee
Over the last 18 months, the Rights and Equality Committee have been working on their project on examining ‘Young Women’s Rights in Schools,’ exploring ideas such as sexism, uniform, attitudes, stereotypes, and safety. This project has also focused on the Executive Office’s Ending Violence Against Women and Girls’ Strategy. They are currently working on their final committee report which will include their whole journey as a committee and their project topic, the results of their public survey and their overall recommendations.
Education Committee
The Education Committee have been working incredibly hard on their project, ‘A Curriculum fit for 21st Century’ with a focus on Learning for Life and Work (LLW). Over the last year, they have taken evidence from experts, undertaken research into the NI Curriculum and listened to over 1500 pupils across Northern Ireland on their experience of LLW. They are currently finalising their report which will include pupils’ experience of LLW, how it is delivered, pupil’s views on the content and their recommendations for possible changes.
Health Committee
The Health Committee have also been working on their final committee report, as their focus over the last year has been ‘Mental Health Provision in Schools.’ They have listened to young people’s experiences, explored issues such as the stigma of mental health and what a mentally healthy school could look like. They hosted a youth stakeholder day in March to gather their data and their report will include the findings of their research and their recommendations which will be presented to the Minister of Health and the Assembly’s Health Committee later this year.
Youth Assembly Plenary Four
Official Report
Youth Assembly held their fourth Plenary in March 2025. Youth Assembly Members provided updates on their work and debated the issue of ‘Votes at 16’.
If you’d like to read about what they said, the official report is now live on our website and can be accessed here: https://niyouthassembly.org/official-report/22-march-2025/
Balmoral Show
Youth Assembly Members were delighted to take part in the Balmoral Show on 17 May. They met with the public, spoke about their work, and highlighted the upcoming opportunity for young people to apply to the Youth Assembly.
Youth Assembly Members also hosted a roundtable event with the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly Edwin Poots MLA. They asked about the role of the Speaker, what inspired him to get into politics, and why young people need to get involved in politics.
Check out the latest YAM TV to see more of what the YAMs got up to at the Balmoral Show:
VE Day trip to London
On 8 May, Youth Assembly Member Nadia attended VE Day 80th Anniversary events in London. She attended a service of thanksgiving in Westminster Abbey and the ‘VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember’ concert that evening where she met the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly Edwin Poots MLA.
Nadia wrote a blog about her experience. You can read it here:
Balmoral Show
You may remember that in January, Youth Assembly Members gave evidence to the Public Accounts Committee during their inquiry into ‘Developing the Skills for Northern Ireland’s Future.’ The Committee felt that the evidence provided by the Youth Assembly Members provided them with a valuable insight into the views of young people. Youth Assembly Members recommended that the Committee seek the views of a wide range of young people. This led to the Committee and the Youth Assembly working together to develop a Citizen Space survey for young people. The survey, which was launched in March, received over 500 responses from young people across Northern Ireland.
On 29 May, Youth Assembly Members attended the report launch in Parliament Buildings with members of the Committee .
If you would like to read the report, click the image below:
Youth and Policing Partnership Forum
On 22 May, the Youth Assembly attended a Youth and Policing Partnership Forum meeting with young people from ADDNI, NIACRO, Include Youth, NICCY and Diverse Youth NI.
This forum was set up by NICCY and partner organisations for young people to engage directly with the PSNI, Police Ombudsman and Policing Board. We are excited to be part of this important initiative. Thanks NICCY for including us!
Polish Heritage Event
On Saturday 31 May, Youth Assembly Member Nadia attended a Polish Heritage event in Parliament Buildings. This event was hosted by the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Edwin Poots MLA, and included an address from the Mirosław Sycz, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Belfast and panel discussion with the Friends of Poland group: John Blair MLA, Peter Martin MLA, Ciara Ferguson MLA, Patsy McGlone MLA and Maciek Bator and Ola Sobieraj representing the Polish Community.
During this event Nadia, who has Polish heritage herself, took the stage for a Q&A on her experiences in the Youth Assembly. She spoke about the skills she has learned and the wide variety of opportunities she has had. She also highlighted the importance of young people from all backgrounds having their voices heard on issues that matter to them.
Coming up in June:
Youth Assembly Members will give evidence to the Committee for Education on the School Uniforms Bill, sharing the views of the Youth Assembly and providing a youth perspective on the Bill.
Youth Assembly Committees will be presenting their final reports to the relevant Committees and Ministers.
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