AS we enter a new decade it is my hope that it holds many exciting challenges and possibilities for our young people across all communities, and that we help them meet the future with confidence.
I have embarked on a programme of engagement with schools where I want to meet, listen and hear at first-hand from young people about their challenges, concerns and their hopes and ambitions.
We face a variety of staggering complex challenges at this time, which impact upon our young people, not least in terms of mental health, the climate emergency, and the impact of Brexit on the rights and entitlements we currently enjoy as citizens after we leave the European Union in only two weeks’ time.
This creates uncertainty and the need for change which I and many others share across Ireland.
Young people are the future leaders across many disciplines from politics and government, business, arts, academia, sports, medicine, law, creative industries, community leadership and much more.
Continuing to make the pursuit of knowledge and skills a primary objective is something which must be prioritised within our education system, and communities if we are to drive forward a dynamic all-island economy which creates jobs for our young people and puts money in people’s pockets.
Often it is the case that a small number of young people grab the news headlines for activity and behaviour that is damaging to them and the community in which they live.
But these headline makers do not represent the vast majority of our youth.
I believe that the greatest asset we have is our people - and in particular our young people.
It is time we had less media focus on the negative and more on the positive.
We must help every child and young person here reach their full potential through their educational and social development.
Every young person must have hope and opportunity. No limits.
Everyone needs to have a meaningful purpose in life and a stake in this society, to dare to dream and the chance to succeed.
This must include those young people who are disengaged and isolated from society, or involved in risk behaviours, including drug and alcohol abuse, as we have to confront these problems within the community with empathy and compassion and with determination to make a difference.
This means interventions which get our young people onto alternative paths from drugs and gives them prospects in education and employment.
When the Assembly was restored this day last week I said in my remarks when taking up the role as deputy First Minister and joint head of government that:
“It is time to bring people together. We can open doors, and let this future in. We must give people hope and our young people opportunity. It is my sincere hope that 2020 is a time of real change which reinvents the optimism and hope we have experienced before, but our young people have not.”
Through direct engagement in schools and through other means, we can stimulate our young people’s involvement in influencing the attitude and approach the Executive takes across many areas important to their lives and development.
This is my commitment in the year ahead.