National Youth Assembly
Established by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), the National Youth Assembly provides a forum for young people to present directly to Government and have their rights and views taken into account on policy decisions affecting matters they believe to be in the national interest.
Who we are
The National Youth Assembly meets to discuss and debate different policy topics of importance that will impact young people. Delegates range from 12 to 24 years of age and come from all over Ireland. Around 60 are selected by Comhairle na nÓg and other established youth organisations to sit on the National Youth Assembly for a term of 18 months. The profile of the delegates is diverse, with young people representing all geographical areas both urban and rural, ages, genders, and groups.
What we do and why we do it
The National Youth Assembly acts as a consultative youth forum on topics of national interest, such as climate change. The assembly is critical to involving young people in informing and deciding public policy on emerging matters. In 2022, for example, the Youth Assembly on Artificial Intelligence (AI) listened to what young people had to say about the progress of AI, how they think it will impact their lives, and what recommendations they had for government departments and Ministers.