Over the two days the activists engaged in various discussions around the role of media, the current political situation in the Basque country and the impact of Scottish independence on Ireland.
Speaking following the congress, one of those elected to the new national youth committee, Cllr Pádraig Quinn said;
“Over the past 16 years Ógra Shinn Féin has played an
invaluable role within Irish republican politics. From campaigning on issues
such as student fees, suicide prevention, drug awareness etc, to producing top
class political activists like Pearce Doherty and Eoin O’Broin; Ógra has
undoubtedly contributed greatly to modern day Ireland and the political machine
that is Sinn Féin.
These achievements however have not come lightly or quickly.
Developing Ógra and staying relative and radical to young republicans, has
required continuous assessment and has lead ultimately to a number of significant
and sometimes difficult decisions.
Despite all its good work, the vast amount of recruits and
its continuous status as Irelands fastest growing youth movement, Ógra in its
form, was limited and could never have reached its true potential. This was not
because we lacked creativity, skill or commitment. Rather it was because of a
lack of input from the senior party and an old out-dated and limited structure.
Republicanism is an ever changing force and in order to stay
relevant we must adapt and re-adapt to that force. With this in mind Sinn Féin produced the National
Youth Strategy. It is an extremely
important step, one that puts youth at the fore and creates a new, significant
modern structure fit for the pressures and potential a movement like Ógra
contained. Now known as Óige Phoblachtach Sinn Féin, the youth wing has an even
brighter future that it once did.
We now have the support and the means to reach that potential that previously eluded us, however, it will not be gained without great effort, work and commitment.”
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