Get Involved with Safer Internet Day
An online campaign targeting bystanders who observe instances of online bullying is being planned, and on a new website which is yet to be launched, we hope to include short video messages from young people. We are looking for young people to submit their own 30-40 second video, or to volunteer for a video recording which may be arranged. These videos will discus the bystander role/positive messages/offering support etc. If you are interested in participating please email mark@issu.ie
President Higgins invites young people to offer their Vision for Ireland
The President of Ireland wants to hear your visionPresident Higgins invites young people to offer their vision for Ireland
President Higgins is inviting young Irish people to make multimedia submissions on their vision for Ireland to his Being Young and Irish consultation and seminar. Being Young and Irish is the first in a series of Presidency Seminars.Young people aged 17 to 26 years can use whatever media suits them best to put forward their vision for Ireland. Examples include narrative, song, poetry, video or audio recordings. In their submission to www.president.ie or via post to Áras an Uachtaráin young Irish people at home and abroad should address the following questions:· What is your vision for Ireland? · What can you and other young people do to achieve this? · What else needs to happen to make your proposals possible? The deadline for submissions to the multimedia consultation for Being Young and Irish is 29 September 2012. Find out how to make a submission here (http://www.president.ie/
NEW JUNIOR CERT IN THE HANDS OF STUDENTS
PRESS STATEMENT
Irish Second-Level Students' Union
*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
NEW JUNIOR CERT IS IN THE
HANDS OF STUDENTS
Minister Quinn invites ISSU to open student consultation
8 November 2011
The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) is delighted to accept Minister Ruairi Quinn’s invitation for ISSU to host a national consultation on the new name for the assessment, which will replace the Junior Certificate Examination.Leanne Caulfield, ISSU President said: “We welcome this opportunity to invite our student members to come up with a name for the Junior Cycle process that is youth-friendly, and which will enable young people to identify more with their own education. It is vitally important that young people play their part in any changes to the education system, and this will provide the opportunity for students to do just that.”Niall Dennehy, ISSU General Secretary said: “We will be looking for a name that is exciting, dynamic and ensures that young people make a greater connection with their learning. Young people are best placed to take the lead in redesigning the way in which students learn at Junior Cycle level, and this will act as the crucial first step in allowing them to do so.” Contact:ISSU Head Office: 01 443 4461www.issu.ie, email communications@issu.ie ***************** ENDS ***************** Notes to Editor:The Irish Second-Level Students' Union is the national umbrella body for school Student Councils, aiming to represent and connect Irish second-level students the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that the voice of the Irish second-level student is heard and striving for innovation and democracy within the education system. ISSU is a not-for profit student rights organisation.At ISSU we believe that young people are not merely citizens in waiting - we deserve better, we deserve to be heard. We can and will contribute positively to society. It is so important that our voices, views and opinions are (i) heard (ii) listened to (iii) and most importantly respected. ISSU's main aims include:• To provide training and development of second-level school Student Councils, in conjunction with relevant bodies.• To develop policies on issues affecting Irish second-level students and bring the needs and rights of students to the attention of the relevant authorities.• To provide a transparent, democratic and reliable organisation.• To work in collaboration with other educational institutions and bodies both in Ireland and Europe.• To work closely with educational curriculum policy makers and teachers’ unions to continually develop a transparent, fair and modern education system.And most importantly, to give students a structured platform through which the voice of the Irish second-level student will be heard.
National Consultation with children and young people
on the new National Children’s Strategy (2012-2017)Monday, 4th April – Friday, 8th April 2011
Work has commenced in the Department of Children on the development of a new NationalChildren’s Strategy. The new Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald, TD, would like to findout the issues of real importance to children and young people all over the country in orderto inform the strategy. The national consultation will give them the opportunity to have theirvoices heard in relation to matters that directly affect their lives.Children and young people are invited to complete questionnaires in all schools andYouthreach Centres throughout the country from Monday, 4th April – Friday, 8thApril 2011. The questions were designed in consultation with children and young peoplethemselves and ask about what’s good, what’s not good and what they would change aboutbeing a child or young person in Ireland today.All data collected will be analysed by a consultation team at Trinity College, Dublin andfed into the development of the new National Children’s Strategy. A report of the children’sconsultation process will be published online later this year.This exciting project represents the Government’s commitment to the goals of the currentNational Children’s Strategy (2000-2010) and to the continued implementation of the UNConvention on the Rights of the Child. By helping promote this consultation, you are ensuringthat children and young people in Ireland will have their voices heard on issues of importanceto them.ISSU is very supportive of this consulation, and we look forward to working with the Department of Children on the implementation of this strategy over the upcoming years
Register to Vote
Our country is on the brink of a civic renewal and we have an unprecedented opportunity to further citizen engagement in our democracy. With a General Election looming Young People must play our part, if you're eligible to vote - make sure you're on the register of electors. Even if you're not old enough to vote this time around, have a list of questions prepared for Politicians as they call to you door canvasing for votes. Have your say!ISSU is encouraging all young people eligible to vote to register now...Application forms for inclusion on the Electoral Register, Special Voters List, Postal Voters List and the amended Electoral Register are available from all local authorities, post offices and public libraries. Completed forms must be returned to your local authority. You cou can register up to 15 working days before the general election!Forms may also be available on http://www.checktheregister.ie/
Don't delay register today.
Your World - Your Say
JOINT PRESS RELEASE
YOUR WORLD – YOUR SAY
100 children voice their views on engagement in European and international decision-making
17 November 2010
Today (17 November 2010) up to 100 young people from all over the country, gathered in Dublin for "Your World – Your Say", a consultation event on children’s views on their engagement in European and international levels of decision-making. The event was hosted by the Children’s Rights Alliance, in collaboration with the Irish Second Level Students’ Union (ISSU).Children and young people, aged 12 to 17 years and from a diverse range of life experiences, gathered to add their voice to this important project. The consultation event is part of a Europe-wide project on children and young people’s involvement in European and international decision-making. It comprises five partner projects in Ireland, England, Austria, Estonia/Russia and Romania/Moldova who are each hosting a national consultation event. The views expressed at these events will be brought together into one report and presented to the European Commission.On opening the event, Jillian van Turnhout, Chief Executive, Children’s Rights Alliance said: “Today, is all about getting your voice heard. European and international bodies are playing an increasingly important role in our lives and we need to find ways to bridge the gap between the individual and the institutions. We need the institutions to listen and learn from what children are saying. The buzz of children and young people engaging in discussions was a fitting way to celebrate International Students’ Day which falls today, 17 November.”Today the young people gathered, learned about the opportunities for them to influence European and international decision makers that impact on children’s lives such as the European Parliament, the European Commission, the European Forum on the Rights of the Child and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. A message from Irish MEP’s was sent via a recording from Brussels. The young people explored their views on the importance of engaging with decision-making bodies and how they could get involved. They discussed any experiences they had on being involved in decision-making, and shared ideas about how they would engage differently if they had the opportunity to do so.Leanne Caulfield, President, ISSU added: “Innovative methods were used to promote creative discussions, including Storyboards, Mind Mapping and Knowledge Cafés. While officials were present to answer questions, we avoided the usual lecture-style format. The sessions were facilitated by young people from the ISSU and European Youth Parliament, so it was very much a youth-led and youth-focused event.”
With financial support from the EU’s Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Programme
***************************ENDS*************************CONTACT DETAILS FOR MEDIA QUERIES:Róisín Fitzgerald – Children’s Rights Alliance – 087 7702845 or communications@childrensrights.ieNotes to Editor:This consultation event is part of a Europe-wide project on children and young people’s involvement in European and international decision-making. The project, funded by the European Commission, is co-ordinated by the Children’s Rights Alliance England (CRAE) and includes five partner projects: Ireland, England, Austria, Estonia/Russia and Romania/Moldova. Each partner is hosting a national consultation event involving 100 children under 17 years. A final report incorporating the views of children and young people from the five partners will be presented to the European Commission in 2011.