When young people participate in the decisions which affect them it gives them employable skills for the future, according to the Commissioner for Children and Young People.
Patricia Lewsley-Mooney was speaking in the run up to the closing date for entries to the 2013 Participation Awards (October 19) which celebrate government and public organisations which do involve young people.
“Participation can really work for either the organisations or the young people involved. When policies, legislation or services affect children and young people their voice must be heard,â€Â? she said.
Emma Hegarty and Nikita Harkin, from Derry, are currently volunteering with the Commissioner on her Participation Awards, an opportunity allowing them to gain skills and experience.
Many young people who reap the benefits of participation sit on youth panels for many different types of organisations. For example, Nikita sits on the Children’s Commissioner’s Participation Awards Panel and also volunteers with the Youth City of Culture Team for Derry’s year of events in 2013 and the Interact Youth Arts Festival.Â
“The opportunity to work with the City of Culture Team is something that won’t arise again so already I have experience that will set me apart at future job opportunities. I gained skills in public speaking through co-hosting the Participation Awards ceremony last year,â€Â? said Nikita.
 “Working with the rest of the panel members has allowed me to develop good team work and listening skills. I have also taken part in campaigning workshops with the Commissioner for her Make it Right campaign, where I developed skills in influencing government on issues affecting children and young people.â€Â?
 For Emma it has been about gaining experience of sitting at the other side of the interview desk.
She said: “I have been part of a selection panel to recruit NICCY staff, which was really interesting as I got to see the other side of recruitment.â€Â?
For information visit www.niccy.org/ParticipationAwards or call 028 9031 1616.
When young people participate in the decisions which affect them it gives them employable skills for the future, according to the Commissioner for Children and Young People.
Patricia Lewsley-Mooney was speaking in the run up to the closing date for entries to the 2013 Participation Awards (October 19) which celebrate government and public organisations which do involve young people.
“Participation can really work for either the organisations or the young people involved. When policies, legislation or services affect children and young people their voice must be heard,” she said.
Emma Hegarty and Nikita Harkin, from Derry, are currently volunteering with the Commissioner on her Participation Awards, an opportunity allowing them to gain skills and experience.
Many young people who reap the benefits of participation sit on youth panels for many different types of organisations. For example, Nikita sits on the Children’s Commissioner’s Participation Awards Panel and also volunteers with the Youth City of Culture Team for Derry’s year of events in 2013 and the Interact Youth Arts Festival.
“The opportunity to work with the City of Culture Team is something that won’t arise again so already I have experience that will set me apart at future job opportunities.
I gained skills in public speaking through co-hosting the Participation Awards ceremony last year” said Nikita.
“Working with the rest of the panel members has allowed me to develop good team work and listening skills.
I have also taken part in campaigning workshops with the Commissioner for her Make it Right campaign, where I developed skills in influencing government on issues affecting children and young people.”
For Emma it has been about gaining experience of sitting at the other side of the interview desk. She said: I have been part of a selection panel to recruit NICCY staff, which was really interesting as I got to see the other side of recruitment.
For information visit www.niccy.org/ParticipationAwards or call 028 9031 1616.
