February 2026
It’s been a really busy February. Our Youth Assembly Members have joined in person and online meetings, plus attended conferences and workshops. Here’s what’s been going on…
Youth Assembly
Committees
The top issues identified from the Big Youth Survey were debated at our first plenary on 24 January. Here’s what came out on top:
1. Health
2. Rights & Equality
3. Education
These issues are now the focus of the three Youth Assembly committees. Members met in their committees for a planning day in Parliament Buildings on 28 February. Keep an eye on our socials to stay up to date with their work as it progresses.
Education Committee, Parliament Buildings, 28 February 2026.
Health Committee, Parliament Buildings, 28 February 2026.
Rights and Equality Committee, Parliament Buildings, 28 February 2026.
Women's Caucus Conference
On 5 February, Youth Assembly Members attended a conference in Parliament Buildings hosted by the Northern Ireland Assembly Women’s Caucus entitled “Supporting Women in Public Life.” The event included elected representatives from across the UK and Ireland alongside local councillors and public sector leaders.
Youth Assembly Members took the opportunity to share their lived experiences and to contribute to discussions on the importance of strengthening the participation of women in all levels of decision making.
Youth Assembly Members pictured with the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Edwin Poots MLA and former Speakers of the Northern Ireland Assembly Alex Maskey and Eileen Bell. Pictured in Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings, 5 February 2026.
Hear from our Members!
Want to know what it was like to take part in a plenary in the Assembly Chamber? Youth Assembly Members Matthew, Logan and Erynne have shared their experiences in blogs.
You can read their blogs now on our website: https://niyouthassembly.org/yam-blogs/
Diverse Youth Inspire Now 2.0! Conference
On 10 February, Members attended the Inspire 2.0 Now! Conference at Queen’s University, Belfast. The conference was hosted by Diverse Youth NI, a youth-led, community-rooted organisation dedicated to uplifting young people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds across Northern Ireland.
The conference brought together young people, youth leaders, policymakers, and changemakers from across Northern Ireland and around the world to amplify the voices of youth advocating for equality, diversity, and inclusion.
The conference featured keynote speakers and youth-led panel discussions on topics such as identity and representation, social justice, inclusion, mental health, cultural competence, leadership, education access, and global citizenship. Members had opportunities to contribute personal perspectives and present new ideas for tackling inequalities. Well done to Logan who took part in the panel discussion!
Youth Assembly Members with the Deputy Lord Mayer of Belfast, Councillor Paul Doherty, at the Inspire Now! 2.0 conference hosted by Diverse Youth NI at Queen’s University Belfast, Tuesday 10 February 2026.
All Party Group on
Youth Participation
On 10 February, Youth Assembly Members past and present gave evidence to the All-Party Group (APG) on Youth Participation. This is the only youth-led APG in the Northern Ireland Assembly and is supported by the Northern Ireland Youth Forum. The meeting brought together young people and MLAs to explore key issues around youth participation in decision-making.
The theme for the session was “Are young people’s voices heard by decision makers?” Youth Assembly Members shared their experiences of regular engagement with key decision makers including government departments, MLAs, Ministers, and Assembly Committees on a diverse range of issues including justice, tobacco and vapes, pension reform, curriculum reform, child poverty, banking, careers education, relationships and sexuality education, school uniform, and outdoor education.
They participated in a question and answer session and shared reflections on how young peoples’ voices can be amplified at all levels of decision making.
Youth Assembly Members meet and Youth Assembly Manager Lucy give evidence in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings on Tuesday 10 February 2026.
School Attendance Consultation
On 19 February, Members took part in an online consultation with officials from the Department of Education to discuss new pupil attendance strategy called “Attendance Matters”, which offers a framework for action and improvement to guide all those working to support regular and improved pupil attendance.
Youth Assembly Members explored young people’s attitudes towards school attendance, reflected critically on the proposed strategy, and identified practical actions they believe are necessary to support and promote consistent attendance.
If you are interested in this issue, you can read more about the draft strategy and share your views by following this link: https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-pupil-attendance-strategy-attendance-matters?
The consultation closes on 6 March.
Youth Assembly Members attend online meeting with officials from the Department of Education on Thursday 19 February 2026.
Curriculum Review - Capabilities Framework
Youth Assembly Members met this week with Lucy Crehan, Deputy Chair of the Department of Education NI’s Curriculum Taskforce, to discuss the new Capabilities Framework. This framework aims to ensure that by the end of compulsory education, young people can:
- Choose their future path
- Shape the kind of person they want to be
- Participate confidently in society
Lucy outlined how the Framework will support the new curriculum and took time to hear Members’ views on what skills matter most and how schools can better prepare young people for the future.
A big thank you to Lucy for engaging with our Members and valuing their input.
Youth Assembly Members attend online meeting with Lucy Crehan on Tuesday 24 February 2026.
Coming Up
- ‘Welcome to Your Vote Week’ events
- Committee for Infrastructure Evidence Session on Graduated Driver Licensing
- Youth Assembly Committee Meetings
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