TEENAGERS are to be given opportunities to be involved in decision making through the creation of a Youth Assembly.
The newly-established body aims to get young people more involved in the political process.
It is expected to broadly mirror the structures of the assembly.
There will be 90 members, 54 of whom will be drawn from the Northern Ireland Assembly constituencies and 36 from specific sections of the community.
The core age range will be 13 to 17, but there will be an upper age limit of 21 to ensure diverse representation.
It will have two sittings a year and up to four committees, which will meet more regularly. Plenary sittings are likely to take place in Parliament Buildings and will be presided over by the speaker in the assembly chamber.
Speaker Alex Maskey said the body would give young people an opportunity to have their say on issues that matter to them.
"We must do more to encourage the next generation to get involved in politics and democracy here. The Youth Assembly will allow us to do that," he said.
"The functions of the Youth Assembly are at an early stage, but deliberately so. We want to get young people involved as early as possible to help shape how it will work, what its priorities will be and what it will focus on. Young people's involvement will be key to establishing a platform that meets the needs of the next generation, ensuring their voices are heard, their ideas considered and their visions valued."
