Written Transcript Youth Assembly Recruitment Video - MLA & YAM interview montage
Video shows YAMs walking down the stairs in the Great Hall in Parliament Buildings.
The title card reads ‘The Northern Ireland Youth Assembly is looking for new members!’ with the Youth Assembly logo below.
Carál NÍ Chuilín MLA, describes the importance of the Youth Assembly and her experience working with it.
Carál NÍ Chuilín MLA: So I feel it’s really important to have a youth assembly because the assembly chamber really should reflect the rest of the society and the people we represent.
The video then transitions to Youth Assembly Member Catherine, who speaks about what she enjoys while a montage of Youth Assembly Members in Parliament Buildings plays.
Youth Assembly Member Catherine: I love doing the ice breakers during break time, it’s really fun as I get new friends and just express myself better.
The video then changes to show Youth Assembly Member Paige holding a small microphone to Minister for Health, Mike Nesbitt MLA, who describes why he enjoys working with the Youth Assembly.
Mike Nesbitt MLA: Well I like working with the youth assembly because they’re very refreshing and they’re very open and they’re not afraid to express their views.
The video transitions back to Youth Assembly Member Catherine.
Youth Assembly Member Catherine: When you get to meet MLAs and get your voice heard as a child, as a young person, I think that’s really great.
When Catherine finishes talking, after a montage of Youth Assembly Members in the Senate Chamber, the video shows Paula Bradshaw MLA (Chairperson of the Assembly’s Committee for The Executive Office) and Claire Sugden MLA chatting to Youth Assembly Member Paige.
Paula Bradshaw MLA: The more we can see the youth assembly coming through with new policy proposals, the more we can react to the needs that you should bring to our attention.
The video transitions to John Blair MLA being interviewed by Youth Assembly Member Fionn. While John talks, a montage plays of Youth Assembly Members engaging in sit down activities at Parliament Buildings.
John Blair MLA: I think it’s extremely important that the assembly is connected with the community and particularly important in relation to the youth assembly.
The video shows Youth Assembly Mia describing the benefits of the Youth Assembly.
Youth Assembly Member Mia: One of the benefits I really enjoyed was networking experience and speaking to MLAs, speaking to politicians, generally meeting people, meeting really interesting people from all different walks of life that we’d never have met otherwise and making new friends.
While Mia talks, a montage begins playing of continued ice-breaker activities in Parliament Buildings. After the montage is finished, the video shows Paula Bradshaw MLA and Claire Sugden MLA being interviewd by Youth Assembly Member Paige. Claire Sugden MLA encourages young people to apply.
Claire Sugden MLA: You will be the future and we need to shape that in a way that’s right for you and your generation. I feel like people are really scared about having their opinion heard and getting judged.
The video transitions to Youth Assembly Members Catherine and Leon with final words of encouragement to apply to the Youth Assembly.
Youth Assembly Member Catherine: I was like that too at the start, but don’t worry at all, everything’s going to be okay and no one judges you at all.
Youth Assembly Member Leon: There’s good support such as the place, such as a travel refund and even public transport. You can get a travel refund with a bus or a car.
While Leon talks, a montage plays of Youth Assembly Members in the Senate Chamber. The video then shows Diane Forsythe MLA.
Diane Forsythe MLA: I’ll certainly be encouraging as many people as possible from my area and right across Northern Ireland to come up and put those young people’s voices from their constituencies into the assembly.
A montage plays then the video changes to Colm Gildernew MLA who encourages young people to apply.
Colm Gildernew MLA: If you’re thinking about it at all, throw your hat in the ring, give it a go. Your voice is as valid as anyone else’s.