Youth Council for Northern Ireland
The Youth Council for Northern Ireland was established under the Youth Service (NI) Order 1989 and the legislation defines its functions as follows:
- to advise the Department of Education, education and library boards and other bodies on the development of the Youth Service;
- to encourage cross community activity by the Youth Service;
- to encourage the provision of facilities for the Youth Service and facilities which are especially beneficial to young persons;
- to encourage and assist the co-ordination and efficient use of the resources of the Youth Service;
- to grant aid Regional Voluntary Youth Organisations towards their administration.
Regional Voluntary Youth Organisations provide support and training for many local youth groups. The voluntary organisations have created many cross sectoral links resulting in innovative practice and additional resources for youth work. Their well developed ethos has acted as an important motivator for the recruitment and commitment of volunteers.
NI Youth Awards 2009
Each year the Youth Council holds a Youth Awards ceremony to recognise the achievements, talents and energy of young people from across the youth service and those workers/ volunteers who work with them.
Now in its fourth year, the prestigious event was held in the Ramada Hotel in Belfast and was hosted by CityBeat’s Mairead Campbell.
Around 400 people attended the prestigious Youth Awards ceremony to celebrate the achievements of young people and youth workers from right across the north of Irelandand were treated to a surprise appearance and performance from popular X-factor star Eoghan Quigg.
Sponsored by the Department of Education, the Youth Council and the Public Health Agency, the Awards were open to both individuals and groups in the eight categories of:
- Volunteering;
- Peace Building;
- Innovation;
- International work;
- Inclusion;
- Health Promotion work;
- Outstanding Achievement; and
- Intergenerational Achievement (a new category for 2009)
For further information on the ceremony, pictures from the event and a full list of winners and runners up please visit the Youth Council’s Website – www.ycni.org
Youth Council Membership
Membership of the Youth Council is determined by the Minister on an individual rather than a representational basis. The Youth Council was reconstituted from June 2003 for a three year period and has been extended until the establishment of the Education and Sills Authority in January 2010. There is currently 10 Board members, including a Chair (Mrs Maire Young) and Vice Chair (Mr Bertie Faulkner). The Chief Executive of the Council is Mr David Guilfoyle.
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