Northern Ireland

Teens invited to apply to be members of the youth assembly

The Youth Assembly will have 90 members, aged 13-17
The Youth Assembly will have 90 members, aged 13-17 The Youth Assembly will have 90 members, aged 13-17

TEENAGERS are to be given a voice and the chance to influence directly the political decisions that affect them.

The new Youth Assembly is seeking its first 90 members - mirroring the number of MLAs.

The body aims to provide an opportunity for young people to share their views on issues of importance.

It will have 90 members, 54 drawn from the assembly constituencies and 36 others from specific sections of the community.

The core age range of the members will be 13 to 17.

It is envisaged that there will have two plenary sittings a year and up to four committees, which will meet more regularly.

The plenary sittings are likely to take place in Parliament Buildings and will be presided over by the assembly speaker.

Committees may also meet in Parliament Buildings, but it is expected that they will also meet in other locations.

Speaker Alex Maskey said he was struck by the enthusiastic reaction there had been so far, with hundreds of young people indicating their interest.

He said there would be a broad range of backgrounds represented and there would be "an open agenda".

The body, he said, would be made up mostly of those not old enough to vote.

Those selected will be offered training and support. This may include learning about the way the assembly works, making presentations, conducting research and talking to experts about issues of concern.

"The young people will have agenda-setting freedom," Mr Maskey said.

"It's vital that we involve our next generation in the democratic process and we hope that young people from across our society seize this opportunity to make a difference."

The selection of members will be by way of an online process involving enhanced random selection.

Mr Maskey said it was important to attract members from a range of backgrounds, including different socio-economic groups.

"We looked in some detail at other areas including Scotland, Dublin, England and Wales at similar initiatives and how people were appointed - whether there could be an over-preponderance of one group," he said.

"We will have three from each constituency and have some headroom to make sure demographics are met. We are hopeful we will get a good mix and someone from every corner of the community."

Young people can find out more information and apply online via www.niyouthassembly.org. The application process will open on Monday April 26 and close at 5pm on Friday May 21.