400 young social innovators meet in Trim

The Young Social Innovators Speak Out Forum involving 400 teenagers from Meath, Louth, Cavan and Monaghan took place in Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim, last Thursday. Teenagers across the north-east region were called upon to play an active role in re-making Ireland by Sr Stanislaus Kennedy when she addressed the YSI forum. The young people are among more than 5,500 participants in YSI 2009, Ireland"s largest citizenship programme for 15-18 year-olds. Between them, they are undertaking more than 400 social action projects throughout the country in areas such as justice, democracy, citizenship, community, environment, welfare and 'one world". The results will be exhibited at the annual YSI Showcase in the RDS next May where the Young Social Innovator of the Year awards are announced. The YSI Speak Out Forum, which was co-hosted by Cavan, Louth, Meath and Monaghan County Councils, was attended by Cllr Liz McCormack, chairperson of Meath County Council. The forum heard young people speak about their concerns on issues such as youth facilities, mental health, teenage pregnancy, restorative justice and addiction. Congratulating them on their achievements so far, Sr Stanislaus, chairperson of YSI, encouraged them to continue their pursuit of social justice. 'You can be change-makers. From the thousands of young people who have participated in YSI since it began in 2002, we know the tangible difference you can make to your own lives and those of your community. The current economic turmoil at home and abroad has thrown the spotlight onto the way we live our lives. It has led to a re-evaluation of society"s priorities and values. Ireland"s youth has a vital role to play in our evolution into a more caring, inclusive society. We need their enthusiasm, imagination and innate sense of social justice. They can be the difference we want to make,' said Sr Stan. The event was the fourth in a series of 11 events being held throughout the country over the coming weeks. As well as providing a platform for young people to share their ideas, Rachel Collier, chief executive, YSI, said the events were a valuable opportunity for community, voluntary and statutory organisations to gain a fresh perspective on the issues affecting young people and society in general. She said: 'YSI is more than a nationwide youth brainstorm - it has led to a number of successful joint initiatives and enterprises over the years on issues such as bullying, drink-driving, youth facilities and mental health. 'It is developing the new entrepreneurs, innovators and policy-makers of the future. YSI gives our youth skills which will be important in the creation of the smart economy, hopefully, in a society that will be prosperous again but this time prosperous for all of us, not just a few.'