Press Releases

Published date: 25 Nov 2024

Children and young people call for a Programme for Government that prioritises their futures

Today (25.11.2024), children and young people make their voices heard in the final week of the General Election at a special Children’s Hustings event co-hosted by the Children’s Rights Alliance and The Ark.

Looking to place children and young people as the focal point of the political agenda, the event, hosted by former RTE news broadcaster Bryan Dobson, will put political candidates under the spotlight as they outline how their parties plan to prioritise children and young people across a range of issues.

Candidates can expect to be challenged on topical matters such as youth mental health, childcare, education and recreational spaces as they answer questions put to them directly from children and young people on the issues that have a profound impact on their lives.

Aisling (age 12), member of The Ark’s Children’s Council, says:

“I am really excited to talk about the important issues in Ireland today.”

 

Speaking ahead of the event, Aideen Howard, Chief Executive of The Ark emphasises the importance and value of listening to the voice and ideas of children and young people:

“We are delighted to partner again with Children’s Rights Alliance on the Children’s Hustings. The Ark is a child rights-respecting arts organisation where children are at heart of our artistic and institutional decision-making. The hustings is a key opportunity in the electoral cycle for election candidates, policy makers and citizens to hear the concerns and priorities of children and young people and for candidates to set out how they plan to prioritise children and young people in policy making, government formation and the Programme for Government.”

 

Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance added.

“Every child and young person deserves to have the opportunities and support to reach their full potential – this should be a reality for all children growing up in Ireland. The next Government has the power to truly transform the lives of children and young people but for this to happen we need a Programme for Government that acts as the blueprint for a better and brighter future.  Children and young people do not get to vote but they live with the consequences of political decisions every day. Young people are a treasure trove of insight, ideas and innovative solutions when it comes to big societal issues. Today is an opportunity to hear first-hand from them about why and how political leaders should prioritise their needs. Their voices can be and should be used to inform the Programme for Government that will shape our society for generations to come.”

 

_ENDS_

 

Contact:

Gillian Hogan, [email protected]  / 083 0634290 or

Sinead O’ Doherty, [email protected]/ 086 2591070.

Notes to Editor:

• The following spokespeople are available for interview:
  • Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance
  • Aideen Howard, Chief Executive of The Ark
• Event details:
  • Time: 10am – 12pm
  • Venue: The Ark, Dublin
  • Chair: Bryan Dobson (former RTE news broadcaster); Panel: Mairéad Tóibín (Aontú) Mary Seery-Kearney (Fine Gael), Joe O’Brien (Green Party), Cathal McCann (Labour), Mícheál Mac Donncha (Sinn Féin), and Aishling Silke (Social Democrats).

 

About the Children’s Rights Alliance
Founded in 1995, the Children’s Rights Alliance over 160 members working together to make Ireland one of the best places in the world to be a child. Further information is available at: childrensrights.ie or on Twitter, @ChildRightsIRL

About the Ark
The Ark is a dedicated cultural centre for children. We opened in 1995, three years after the Irish government ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of The Child (UNCRC), recognising the rights of children to “participate freely in cultural life and the arts”. The Ark was founded on the principle that children are entitled to great art made especially for them.