Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Youth Forum celebrates rollercoaster 40 years

Chris Quinn, NIYF Director; Lucy Grainger, Chair and Rodney Green, the first NIYF Director
Chris Quinn, NIYF Director; Lucy Grainger, Chair and Rodney Green, the first NIYF Director Chris Quinn, NIYF Director; Lucy Grainger, Chair and Rodney Green, the first NIYF Director

THE Northern Ireland Youth Forum has celebrated its fortieth birthday.

Formed in 1979 during the Troubles, the `winter of discontent' and the beginning of the Thatcher era, it went on to provide a voice for some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged young people.

During this time, it has met presidents, prime ministers and provided input to high level negotiations such as the intensive talks conducted by former US diplomat Richard Haass and Megan O'Sullivan in 2013.

The present NIYF Director, Chris Quinn, the fourth leader of the organisation, said its many projects had helped bring young people from very diverse community backgrounds together in a spirit of collaboration and mutual respect.

"These remarkable young people are an example of how people from different traditions can work together to create a better society. Many of these young people, who may have not met except through the NIYF have made friendships that will last all of their lives," he said.

The NIYF has been instrumental in promoting the rights of young people and providing opportunities for many who have been failed by the education system. Most recently it has provided university courses to young people affected by homelessness.

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A GROUP of academics throughout Ireland are collaborating to promote the teaching and learning of science in primary schools.

The Irish Association for Primary Science Education (IAPSE) includes academics from Queen's University Belfast, St Mary's University College, Stranmillis University College, Dublin City University (DCU), NUI Maynooth, Marino Institute of Education, Mary Immaculate College and Trinity College Dublin.

IAPSE aims to ensure that primary science education will support children in developing the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to make sense of the world in which they live.

The collaboration will enable science educators to work collectively towards ensuring young people experience a rich and meaningful science education as they progress through primary schools.

The group launched at an event entitled Combating Climate Change: Irish Primary Schools.

The aim of the event was to inform, enable and empower adults working with children in formal and informal education settings to take action and become climate change and sustainability champions.

Dr Karen Kerr from Queen's said "our young people can teach us all a thing or two about taking action".

"Through my research on outdoor learning I have seen first-hand the commitment of our young scientists to tackling climate change head on," she said.