June UNESCO-led conference explores new frontiers in youth participation

Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton T.D. has today officially opened an international conference on youth participation hosted by the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre at University of Galway.

 The two-day event brings together stakeholders from practice, policy, research and academic communities, particularly those working in youth work, child protection and welfare, community development, and education sectors to focus on genuine power sharing with children and young people.

 Galway-based Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton T.D., said: “I am delighted to open this important international conference on youth participation. Children and young people have a right to be heard and to have a meaningful role in shaping the decisions that affect their lives. This conference provides an invaluable opportunity to share ideas and learn from national and international experience on how we can move beyond consultation towards genuine partnership with young people. By empowering young people to contribute to policy, research and practice, we can build more inclusive, responsive and sustainable communities for the future.”

Professor John Canavan, Chair of UNESCO Child & Family Research Centre at University of Galway, said: “The conference recognises young people as key stakeholders in a global world undergoing huge and rapid transformation – in the not distant future, they will either benefit from, or suffer the consequences of social and political choices being made now. It is critical that they are included in these decision-making processes.”

 A keynote speaker at the conference, Raphael Denis, a Tanzanian youth participation practitioner at Citizens for Change, said: “Too many systems still treat young people as voices to be heard, rather than partners in shaping change. The shift we need is not just more participation, but more power; trusting young people as co-researchers and co-producers of knowledge. It’s time for this shift to be made more practical, and this conference is a step towards that direction.”

 The two-day conference, under the heading - Shifting Power: New Frontiers in Youth Participation – takes place at University of Galway on June 11th and 12^th.

 This year’s theme reflects the growing global emphasis for children and young people to participate in decisions that affect their lives and it also recognises Ireland’s place among the leading countries on child and youth consultation and engagement, as noted by the OECD.

 Among the specially curated events is “From Talk to Track”, a live music lab hosted by Kabin Crew Teens, the youth-led creative hub based in Knocknaheeny, Cork. They will deliver a live youth-led songwriting, recording, and performance process in response to the themes and insights from the conference with the aim of creatively translating conference learning, exploring themes such as power-sharing, participation, equity, inclusion, and the role of adult allies through music and collaborative creativity.

 The conference will also showcase national and international experiences from a range of participation structures including youth councils, advisory groups, consultation bodies, co-produced and participatory action research initiatives across a range of educational, youth work and child welfare settings.

 Participants will be invited to identify practical pathways for impact within their own professional contexts.

 Key insights and participant perspectives gathered will be disseminated and used to inform future engagement with policymakers, practitioners, and other key audiences, supporting the advancement of more effective and inclusive youth participation strategies. 

 Ends