October 2009 Young Irish Delegate to Participate in UNESCO Youth Forum

The UNESCO Chair in Children, Youth & Civic Engagement, based at the Child and Family Research Centre in NUI Galway, has nominated a young Irish person to participate in the 6th UNESCO Youth Forum. The UNESCO Chair, in collaboration with its partner organisation Foróige, chose Sinéad Ward to represent Ireland at the Forum. The Roscommon native will speak at the plenary session of the Youth Forum on Friday, 2 October. The Youth Forum is taking place in Paris from 1-3 October as an integral part of the 35th UNESCO General Conference. The event brings together young people from around the world to exchange views on topical issues and to identify common opportunities and challenges. Sinéad (24) was a member of Loughlynn Foróige Club when she was younger, and now works with Foróige as a Project Worker in the Choices, Responsibilities, Ideas and Belonging (CRIB) Youth Project and Health Café in Sligo Town. Sinéad will address the Forum on the subject of Youth Participation in Ireland. Professor Pat Dolan, UNESCO Chair in Children, Youth & Civic Engagement, NUI Galway, said: "We need to value young people now not later. It is crucially important to hear the voice of young people as we seek to emerge from the economic crisis. Not only do young people have the most at stake, but they also have important views to contribute to national and international dialogue on social and political issues". He continued: "We are delighted that Sinéad is participating in the Forum and that she will have the opportunity to exchange views with young delegates from all around the world on the importance of strengthening youth participation". The central themes of the Youth Forum reflect those of the UNESCO General Conference. The overarching theme is 'Investing out of the crisis: towards a partnership between UNESCO and youth organisations". -Ends-