On Sunday, December 8th, five members of the Comhairle na nÓg National Executive (2022-2024), supported by three staff members from the National Participation Office, travelled to Rome, Italy, for a series of important youth participation events.

On December 9th, the group attended the Parliamentary Seminar on the Protection of Children Against Online Violence at the Rome Chamber of Deputies. The following day, they participated in the Child Consultation Workshop on Age-appropriate Comprehensive Sexuality Education. This workshop was organised by the Social Affairs, Health, and Sustainable Development Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, in collaboration with the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children and Adolescents and the Italian National Children’s Council, Defense for Children.

During their visit, Comhairle na nÓg members met with decision-makers and Italian peers, sharing the work of Comhairle na nÓg and discussing their efforts on the National Executive’s focus topic: Relationships and Sexuality Education.

The group had their voices heard on the topic they’ve worked on for the past two years, represented Ireland on an international stage, and formed meaningful connections with their peers from across Europe.