THE new Stormont administration should appoint a minister for youth to ensure young people’s issues are listened to.
The demand is included in the Youth Manifesto for Change launched yesterday by the Northern Ireland Youth Forum (NIYF).
The manifesto, which has been sent to political parties ahead of the May 5 election, also calls for an all-party working group for young people and implementation of a Bill of Rights that protects their interests.
NIYF director Chris Quinn said the manifesto reflected the main issues raised by young people over the past five years since the last assembly elections.
"They continually get a raw deal and they have told us over and over again what they need," he said.
"Their rights have been infringed consistently and Covid-19 has made things worse for many. Rising youth poverty, soaring costs of living, unequal pay and a plethora of systematic inequalities are simply not acceptable."
The launch of the manifesto was one of the main elements forum's AGM, entitled Promoting the Voice.
Attended by a range of politicians and decision-makers, it included workshops for young people to discuss the issues within the manifesto, the opening of a new therapeutic youth space within the NIYF offices and the unveiling of Pinball 3, its latest animated video about youth homelessness.
The manifesto covers areas where young people want to see reforms – mental health; youth voices; education; housing; policing, justice and safety; poverty; transport; environment and peace-building.
