Current topics

South Dublin Comhairle na nÓg will be working on the following topics in 2022: Mental Health with a secondary topic of Mental Health and LGBTIQA+.

South Dublin Comhairle na nÓg were working on the following topic in 2021:

  • Climate Change Anxiety:
    Actions – installation of planter / bike racks in several high profile locations around the county to promote biodiversity and sustainable transport. Awareness-raising campaign on climate action and positive actions young people can take to affect change

South Dublin Comhairle na nÓg launch ‘Bin It To Win It’ Campaign 

South Dublin Comhairle na nÓg have partnered with the Council’s Climate Change and Environmental Awareness Officer to bring their Bin It To Win It recycling campaign to the wider public. The campaign will be featured on all public bins in parks and on the streets, encouraging people to dispose of their waste responsibly. It was formally launched by the Mayor of South Dublin Peter Kavanagh at Rathfarnham Castle during Climate Action Week.

2020

South Dublin Comhairle na nÓg focused their energies on Climate Change in 2020. Members worked to improve biodiversity in the area by linking with Tidy Towns and the Parks Department in their local council.

Chairperson Katherine decided to make a bug hotel instructional video as part their topic

They have also produced this uplifting and inspiring video.  ‘It’s important during these difficult times that you do things you love’. What are the things that make you happy every day? Here are the things that put a smile on the faces of Comhairle members as they cope with living in these strange times…

Past topics
South Dublin Comhairle are working on the topic of Body Image in 2019. They aim to educate and raise awareness on the positives and negatives associated with Body Image. They are developing an information pack for distribution to local schools.

2018
South Dublin Comhairle are currently working on the topic of health and well-being – Our slogan is BE HAPPY, BE BRIGHT, BE YOU!  They made a video which includes some simple yet helpful tips to ensure young people take a holistic approach in minding their “Health and Wellbeing”. The video explains the four different aspects of “Health and Well-being”:
• Mental Health
• Social Health
• Physical Health
• Spiritual Health

In addition to the video, South Dublin Comhairle na nÓg organised a “Youth Health and Well-being Day” to promote the different organisations, activities and services available in the county that aid and enhance young people’s health and wellbeing. The day also incorporated a 4km fun run, each km represented one of the four aspects of health and well-being.

The event was organised by South Dublin Comhairle na nÓg in partnership with Community Services Department, Foróige and Crosscare and hopes to give young people in the county the opportunity to educate themselves on the importance of taking care of their own health and well-being along with those around them. A number of organisations were present at the event with information surrounding their services, such as Jigsaw, Spunout, Yoda and many more.

Minister Zappone was in attendance on the day along with Mayor Paul Gogarty. Olympic medallist Kenny Egan also addressed the young people on the advantages and importance of minding their health and well-being. A number of relaxation activities and demonstrations as well as Drum and Gaming Workshops have been organised for the Festival, to give young people an opportunity to experience a number of different ways to relax in a safe, fun environment.

They also designed a Comhairle bookmark with some helpful tips to aid a holistic approach to your health and well-being and were recently awarded the title as “Health and Well-being Ambassadors” for South Dublin County Council.

Previous topics

2017: Youth Mental Health
At the South Dublin AGM in October 2016, the delegates recommended the following work plan for 2017:

• Educate Young People on how to help a peer if they have mental health issues
• Free access for all students to SDCC gyms and swimming pools
• Free events / music / plays / festivals about mental health for Young People
• Zen Room or Safe Space available in all schools in South Dublin