On 28 July, members of Dublin City Comhairle na nÓg met with Paul DeRyck from UNICEF France to discuss the role of Comhairle na nÓg and the importance of youth participation in decision-making.

During the meeting, Paul shared his work with UNICEF France, including his advocacy for lowering the voting age in France to 16 or 17 and exploring the development of a youth participation framework similar to Comhairle na nÓg.Members took part in a thoughtful discussion on voting rights and civic participation. Many expressed their support for lowering the voting age to 16, highlighting the importance of giving young people who want to engage in democracy the opportunity to have their voices heard.

The group also discussed child poverty and the role young people can play in driving meaningful change. Members reflected on the work of Comhairle na nÓg in raising awareness of the issue and supporting initiatives such as free breakfast clubs in schools to help tackle food insecurity among children.Following the meeting, members completed evaluation forms to reflect on the discussion. The conversation around lowering the voting age was identified as the topic that resonated most with the group, while discussions on child poverty and youth advocacy were also highlighted as particularly meaningful.

The meeting provided members with a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from international perspectives, and explore how young people can influence policy and create positive change in their communities.