Youth Strategy launched at Ard Fheis

Ógra Shinn Fein activists, college activists and an array of young republicans from across Ireland recently gathered at this year’s historic Ard Fheis in Belfast to see the official launch of the new national youth policy. The document, which was presented by Senator Kathryn Reilly, Martin McGuinness MLA, mayor of Belfast Niall Ó Donnghaile and former hungerstriker Leo Green, aims at increasing the capacity of Ógra and college cumainn throughout Ireland, and improving the appeal of Sinn Féin among young people generally.

The event, which was chaired by Kathryn Reilly, kicked off with a few words from Martin McGuiness on the importance of young people to our struggle, and ended with a very emotive and inspiring speech from Leo Green on the hunger strike.

Later on that night the activists attended a reception hosted by Belfast city mayor, Niall Ó Donnghaile in the emerald road house, with special guest, republican and Irish language enthusiast heavy weight boxer Martin Rogan.

Speaking on the event and the importance of the time ahead, Cuige Uladh co-ordinator Cllr Pádraig Quinn said;

"The event held last Friday was the culmination of over 12 months of hard work carried out by Ógra Shinn Féin and the newly formed national youth committee. Over 100 young people were in attendance at different periods of the day, many of which left re-energized and focused for the time ahead.

It is an extremely important document, refocusing the party’s dealings with youth and placing it firmly at the fore.

'I think it is important that we begin to see a new generation of young people emerge from the ranks of Ógra and take up leadership positions. Whether it be in local council, the assembly, the Dáil , local cumainn or CC, young people need to begin to take on serious positions, all the while learning from more experienced activists and applying new skills, a fresh set of eyes and new energy to our ever-changing struggle for freedom.'

This Ard Fheis very clearly had a youthful, vibrant feeling. There were large amounts of young people present throughout the course of the weekend with many young republicans contributing greatly to the debate and discusion.

Young activists such as Mayor Cllr Niall Ó Donnghaile and Senator Kathryn Reilly played key roles chairing events and addrising the crowds, while many ogra activists where elected to sinn féins national executive.  

 

 

In the coming weeks the Ógra Shinn Féin national executive will be working upon implementing a work plan. This will be the basis of our activism and campaigns for the months ahead and will see a new beginning for the republican youth movement by initiating a intensified engagement with local party structures throughout the country".

The National Youth Strategy will be posted on the blog in the coming days.