Speaking to the Speaker

Public Achievement Board Member and WIMPS activist, Christopher Madden recently had a meeting at Stormont with the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Willie Hay MLA. Accompanied by new European volunteer Zulema Cadenas, and Public Achievement Director Paul Smyth, they talked about the potential for a Northern Ireland Youth Assembly where young people could directly interact with the Assembly.

The Speaker acknowledged that all other parts of the UK as well as the Irish Republic have representative structures for young people, and that it is important that the Northern Ireland Assembly demonstrates its commitment to the active participation of young people.

The Speaker expressed his commitment to getting a structure that gives young people an effective voice at the Assembly and that creates real engagement between members and youth representatives. We are looking forward to the development of this idea, and to continued engagement with the Speaker and the Assembly.