SpunOut.ie is launching a new Academy of Activism aimed at young people with a passion for social justice between the ages of 18-25 who are interested in learning how they can set about making a difference in the world. This is a practical, free of charge training opportunity that will be offered to twelve lucky young people who want to learn how to make a difference in today’s changing world. The Academy kicks off with a Galway intensive Summer School between August 6th and 8th.

An Award to recognize the hard work of young people whose dedication is making strides in integration and cultural awareness initiatives which benefits both newer and more established communities in Irish society, via active participation, planning, implementation, evaluation, & continuation etc

TARGET GROUP: are young people from 3rd   year to 5th year in Secondary school, young people in youth clubs, Direct Provision. (Work from Sept 09/June ’10 will be accepted)

CATEGORIES FOR GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL PROJECT:

ART & WOOD WORK, SPORTS, SCIENCE, HEALTH AWARENESS & THE ENVIRONMENT.  MUSIC/SOCIAL STUDIES, COMMUNITY & VOLUNTEERISM, and SPECIAL JUDGE’S AWARD

PARTICIPANTS: Young people in Secondary Schools, Youth Clubs,

WHO CAN NOMINATE: Teachers, An Garda Siochana, Youth workers, Health Service Executives, Community worker, Dept of Education, Individual who knows a young person making an impact etc

Closing Date: October 1st, 2010

For more information Contact: Yemi Ojo or Beauty: 086-4023953 or 085-7782857
Email: iaciyouth@gmail.com

On 22nd June 2010 a one day free conference entitled “Where to Now? - Empowering Young People through Information” in the National College of Ireland.

This event is suitable for organisations and those working with young people in Ireland and the aim is to exchange ideas on current trends affecting young people in Ireland including unemployment, migration, new media etc.Young people have a right to information and a need for information. With this in mind, participants will have a unique opportunity to explore the tools and services that are available for young people to access information, including opportunities to work and learn in Europe.

Key speakers are Mary Cunningham, NYCI, Maurice Devlin, NUI Maynooth, Fergus Finlay, Barnardos & Anja Ruhland, Eurodesk Brussels Link.

For more information download the conference brochure from http://www.leargas.ie/programme_resource.php?prog_code=7023

For further questions, please contact Malgorzata Fiedot-Davies at eurodesk@leargas.ie or 01 872 23 94

Want to have your say but not old enough to vote?
Join NYCI to share ideas and learn new skills to progress the campaign on Saturday, 10th April 2010.

At the meeting they will provide:

*Youth activism training
*The chance to ask a politician what works in lobbying issues
*The opportunity to create a video for use on social networking sites to spread the word

The interactive meeting will take place at Temple Bar Hotel, Fleet Street, Dublin 2.

The event is FREE OF CHARGE and travel expenses will be reimbursed. Lunch is also provided.

To apply please complete an application form, a parental consent form (if under 18) and an image consent form which are all available at www.voteat16.ie and post to NYCI, 3 Montague Street, Dublin 2.

Deadline for applications is Monday, March 22nd 2010.

For further information contact Clodagh O’Brien on 01-478 4122 or e-mail communications@nyci.ie.

National Youth Council of Ireland

Youth Employment Consultation - Let Youth Point Us in the Right Direction

As decisions are taken on how to address Youth Employment in Ireland and Europe, young people want to be part of the solution not the problem. The National Youth Council of Ireland in partnership with the Youth Affairs Unit of the Office of the Minister for Children and Young People are hosting a consultation with young people on Youth Employment and Social Inclusion in preparation for the European Conference on the issue.

Where: The Irish Aid Centre O’Connell Street, Dublin.

When: Saturday 27th March 2010. 10.30-3.30

Who: Young people and Youth Workers over 18yrs. We especially want to hear the experience of young people finding it difficult to access employment.

Cost: Free. Travel expenses (public transport only) will be reimbursed and lunch will be provided.

Application Process: Booking Required. Please fill out attached application form before Friday 19th March.

The results of this event will become part of the dialogue between young people and policy makers at a National and European level. Participants from this consultation will represent Ireland at the EU Presidency Youth Conference in Spain on Youth Employment.

The National Youth Council of Ireland is opposed to proposals to cut jobseekers allowance for young people under 25 because it is a misguided and short-sighted policy that will do nothing for young people and the economy. Ireland has the 2nd highest youth unemployment in Western Europe, with 1 in 4 young men between 18 and 24 out of work.

NYCI is calling for a plan of investment and stimulus to get young people back into education, training and work, not a programme of cuts and austerity.

NYCI wants to get young people off benefits and back to work. Therefore as part of a stimulus plan to get the country going again we believe that Government must guarantee every young person out of work a meaningful and appropriate training, education or workplace opportunity within 3 months of becoming unemployed.

For more information look here NYCI