Welcome to Young Citizens

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Welcome

Young Citizens In Action is an exciting youth-led volunteering and citizenship programme that helps young people aged 16-30 years become more actively involved in society through volunteering and raising awareness of relevant youth issues.

Check out the Latest News section for articles relating to truancy and homophobia in schools and other issues.

Get Snapping!
Photographic Competition 2010

The Youth Justice Agency is launching a photographic competition to give young people the opportunity to express their ideas about how to reduce youth crime.

Participants are asked to capture the following theme in a photographic image.

RESPECT – What it means to me

Entries can be either one single photograph or a montage created with a maximum of four photographs.
For more information follow this link.
JUNIOR MINISTERS SEEK YOUNG PEOPLE’S VIEWS

Young people are being asked if government is doing enough for them on issues such as their health, rights and safety.
Junior Ministers Gerry Kelly and Robin Newton are inviting youth groups and organisations to encourage young people to take part in a new consultation process for a three year action plan for children and young people.
“Our desire is to secure a better society and future for our children and young people. We have already put a ten year strategy in place to tackle issues such as: learning; contributing positively to society and community; and economic and environmental well-being,” said Junior Minister Kelly.
“We have recently agreed a three year action plan for this strategy which, because priorities and issues for children and young people can change, will be a ‘living document’ which can be developed and built upon.
“It is this living document which we are now asking young people to get involved in. We are particularly keen that they are able to influence future work that affects them and tell us whether we are doing the right things,” explained Mr Kelly.
Junior Minister Newton said: “We are asking organisations committed to participation, to hold a workshop with the children and young people they work with so that they can tell us what they think.
“To help with this, Participation Network has helped develop a young people’s version of the action plan which is available on their and our websites.
“It is not always easy explaining these issues but we hope this version will encourage them to take part and tell us what they think. The consultation will then culminate with a major conference later this year so that policymakers can hear feedback from the workshops,” he added.
For more information or to participate please visit the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister (OFMDTM) website at http://www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk/ and go to the 'Contact us' page.
European Elections

The European Parliament election in June 2009 will be the biggest trans-national election in history.
About 375 million European citizens in 27 countries are eligible to vote, as 736 members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are elected for a five-year term.

Influence on Young People

The European Parliament has a big influence on the lives of EU citizens, whether they realize it or not. EU laws apply in all member states, and most laws passed by national parliaments are drafted in response to European directives (laws that become national law within a certain timescale).
The parliament is the only directly elected body in the European Union. The members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are there to represent you, the citizen, as legislation is debated, amended, and either rejected or approved.

An example of a law that has affected young people is the Roaming Directive. This limits how much mobile phone operators can charge customers for roaming calls in other EU countries. It came into force in summer 2007.

Getting Young People to Vote.

The European Commission has realized that young people opinion is important and have spent 1.9m euros (£1.7m; $2.5m) on the election ads broadcast by MTV Networks, which include Music Television (MTV), VH1, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central, to encourage young people to vote on the elections on 4-7 June.
You may have seen these ads titled “Can you hear me Europe?" on these channels.
The European Commission has even set up a website where you will be able to express your wishes and ideas on a website called www.caneuhearme.eu.

For more information on the election check BBCs Q&A at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7819889.stm

REMEMBER YOUR VOTE MATTERS!

Dear All,

Are you a young person, youth leader, youth worker, representative of a youth association, student council or youth council? Are you willing to take an active part in the life of your Community through the development of a Youth Democracy Project?

Are you actively involved or willing to be actively involved in democratic and decision making processes existing in your local community? Do you want to create an Action 1.3 Youth Democracy project in cooperation with other European partners? Do you want to acquire project management and communication competences for the local and international activities developed within your Youth Democracy project? Are you interested in developing understanding about the principles of youth participation? Do you want to explore the added value of Youth Democracy Projects for the local community?

If you can answer yes to 2 or more of the above questions: THIS TRAINING COURSE IS WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR!
Connect Youth, the UK National Agency for the Youth in Action Programme is running a short training course on ‘Youth Democracy Project training (Action 1.3)’ on the 25th-26th June, in London.

I would be very grateful if you could please circulate the attached joining instructions and application form to any individuals or organisations in your area you feel would benefit from the training?

For more detailed information on the training, please contact Aneta Kubala (Youth in Action Project Delivery Officer - Connect Youth) Email: Aneta.Kubala@britishcouncil.org Tel: +44 (0) 207 389 4746
Many Thanks for your cooperation,

Bernice
Bernice Sweeney
European / International Officer

Your Assembly, Your Say

Your invited…

The Northern Ireland Assembly is coming to a place near you! Find out more about the Assembly and take the opportunity to discuss local issues with MLAs and hear how the Assembly works for you. For more information follow this link.

Student Volunteering Week 2009
  Student Volunteering Week takes place from Monday 23 February to Sunday 1 March and is celebrated every year to recognise the contributions made by students across the UK to the lives of individuals, their communities or the environment. There are over 600,000 volunteers in Northern Ireland and individuals aged between 16 - 24 years old are among those most likely to volunteer.
Activities and events take place across the UK to recognise student volunteers and to recruit new ones. If you would like more information click here or e-mail Roisin at roisin@vsb.org.uk for how to get involved.

ChildLine is the UK's free, 24 hour confidential helpline for children and young people who need to talk. Trained counsellors are there to provide comfort, support and advice about any problem that's on their mind.
Website address:
www.childline.org.uk

The NSPCC’s purpose is to end cruelty to children. Our vision is of a society where all children are loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential.
We seek to achieve cultural, social and political change – influence legislation, policy, practise, attitudes and behaviours and delivering services for the benefit of all children and young people across the UK and Channel Islands.
We rely on the generosity of the general public to continue our work.
Website address: www.nspcc.org.uk

If you're worried about a child's safety or welfare or if you need help or advice ring our helpline on 0808 800 5000. Help by email with a response within 24 hours. If you are emailing us from Northern Ireland, please email talk@nspcc.org.uk.

Your Choices make all the Difference

Young Citizens in Action recently published a booklet about how to keep a healthy mind and healthy body. For a pdf of the booklet follow this link.

Could you use £20,000 for living expenses to develop your charity or social enterprise?

UnLtd – The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs is looking for inspirational people who have innovative and entrepreneurial solutions to some of the most challenging problems faced by communities. For more information follow this link.

Males Targeted in New Phase of Mental Health Campaign

The HPA has launched the second phase of the programme of public information campaigns to promote good mental health.

The latest campaign targets men, particularly those in the 16-24 age group, and encourages them to look after their mental health by opening up and talking about things that worry them or cause anxiety. For more information follow this link.

Community Youth Project

The Grand Opera House are running an exciting new outreach project working with youth/community groups across Belfast.
The aim of the project is to use the performing arts as a vehicle through which young people can explore issues that are important and relevant to them. During the project participants will work with experienced Theatre practitioners to develop an innovative piece of theatre to be staged in the Baby Grand for schools which will be accompanied by an education pack developed by the participants. For more information follow this link.

Youthful voices making themselves heard

Have you got something to say that could help shape the lives of youthful peers? If so Belfast Youth Council Youth Forum wants to hear from you.
The forum is looking to recruit 36 new members from across the city to work with councillors and officers to create policies answering the needs of young people.
For more information follow this link.

Action Magazine
The special edition Action Magazine is completed. A special thanks to all those volunteers involved. The magazine is going to the printers as we speak. If you want a copy it will be availiable for download at the end of the month.

Residential in Ballintoy 2008
Nine young people take up the Volunteering Challenge!
Nine young people from the Shankill Area took part in a 2 day residential at Ballintoy themed around issues such as team building, conflict awareness, cultural and prejudice awareness and community awareness as well as promoting volunteering as a way to enhance community relations.
The young people participated in a range of activities such as power boating, archery and body boarding. They displayed great team spirit and everyone had a great time. Positive feedback was given by all the young people and they are keen to take part in up and coming volunteering challenges.

Your Opinions
We want your feedback!
If there is something you think should be mentioned on the website why don't you e-mail what you have to say to info@vsb.org.uk.

Street Collector
NI Chest, Heart & Stroke
Want to save lives? Do you like a challenge? How much will be in your box?
On Thursday 12th June it is NI Chest, Heart & Stroke's turn to collect in Belfast's City centre. Every penny collected at our Belfast Street Collection stays in Northern Irelnad and will help save lives or improve the quality of the lives of those affected by chest, heart & stroke related illnesses.
We need as many collectors to collect the City Centre throughout the day so if you can give an hour or two we would greatly appreciate it. Your time does hep us to save lives!
This opportunity involves standing at an allocated place in the City Centre with a NICHS collecting box and encouraging people to donate to this worthwhile cause.
For further details or to sign up please contact info@vsb.org.uk.

Volunteer Historians Required!!

For more information please follow this link.

Housing Advice
Are you aged 16-25 and need housing advice? If so,visit www.housingadviceNI.org

Suicide...are you affected?
To view the N.I. Prevention of Suicide Strategy consoltation paper click on this link. To view the Young Peoples Feedback on the Report click on this link.

YCIA
Messageboard
Question of the Week
Young Citizens Quiz
Active Citizenship
Downloads
Action Magazine
VolunteerNow
We want to see all young people's views represented so have a look round our site and email us if you would like to become more involved
This website has been funded by the Peace II Programme for Peace and Understanding administered through The Community Foundation.
We hope you find the site interesting and if you think it can be improved please let us know.

Street Collector

On Thursady 12th June it is NI Chest, Heart & Stroke's turn to collect in belfast's City centre. Every penny collected at our Belfast Street Collection stays in Northern Irelnad and will help save lives or improve the quality of the lives of those affected by chest, heart & stroke related illnesses.

We need as many collectors to collect the City Centre throughout the day so if you can give an hour or two we would greatly appreciate it. Your time does hep us to save lives!

This opportunity invloves standing at an allocated place in the City Centre with a NICHS collecting box and encouraging people to donate to this worthwhile cause.