What can young people contribute to a political party or campaign? Politicians make decisions which impact on young people every day, these decisions are often on broader themes such as education, health, environment, justice, planning or the Belfast Agreement. Young people can make an invaluable contribution to these debates and to the priorities that politicians take. It might be through lobbying, street protest, letter writing, but being at the heart of a political party or campaign has to be one of the most effective ways.
As the European elections approach, all candidates are getting their campaign teams together. This is a good opportunity to get involved in a political party or campaign to see how they work.
Campaign teams need members to take on a whole range of tasks ??- from the excitement of deciding on slogans, press stunts, getting the message across strategies and advising on policy, to the more mundane, though essential, putting up posters and stuffing envelopes.
Canvassers are always welcome, though it is important to know where the candidate stands on different issues to respond to questions from potential voters.
If you would like to get involved then contact the party website that you are interested in to find out how. If you do not wish to align yourself on nationalist or unionist lines but would like to get some political experience then there are three candidates running which do not identify as unionist or nationalist - John Gilliland (Independent), Eamonn McCann (Socialist Environmental Alliance) or Marie Perry (Green Party). You can also contact Young Citizens In Action for more information.
