The role of youth

Fra Cochrane
Ógra Shinn Féin
Newcastle

This article originally appeared in the South Down nuacht.

Young people have always played an important role in leading radical change especially during times of major political upheavals or in times of revolution, it has often been they who have driven a cause. This will likely always be the case because with youth comes idealism.In South Africa in 1944 a youth movement was formed by a number of idealistic young people who wanted to challenge their passion and translate it into action. They were determined to make a stand against injustice and fight for a better and more just society. One of these passionate young people was Nelson Mandela, and the embryonic youth movement he was part of was the African National Congress Youth League which in time merged into the ANC. Those same young people, after years of struggle, would play a pivotal role in bringing to an end the racial apartheid that had divided their country.

They were part of true revolutionary change and there's is just example of how young people can make a difference.
In today's Ireland we generally have more rights and enjoy a more peaceful society then past generations experienced. This is very welcome, but it does not mean that young people have nothing to campaign or fight for. We only have to look at the increasing number of young people who have been left languishing on dole queues to realise there is something fundamentally wrong with Irish society.

As republicans, our focus may have shifted but there is still a massive job of work to be done. The truth is that the British military presence in the Six Counties has been mostly removed and thankfully the constant harassment and victimisation of Republicans has been dramatically reduced. Many young people wish to see a united Ireland but they are also concerned about achieving a normal, fulfilling life. This means having access to a good education, successfully passing exams, having money in their pockets and the opportunity to build a life for themselves in a way that was denied to their parents and grandparents.
This does not mean that our republican objectives have become any less important and the role played by Ógra Shinn Féin on a range of issues is of vital importance. A united Ireland will benefit everyone and a single island economy has social, economic and political benefits. It would lead to greater job creation and increased opportunities and we need therefore to make our message clear to the youth of today - a united Ireland is the only way to achieve this.

Young people need be a force for change, and Ógra Shinn Féin is ensuring they are heard. Through numerous initiatives that highlight a range of issues, including the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse to our present campaign of 'Who Fears To Speak Of A United Ireland? we are to the fore in driving change. Our aim is to empower young people so they can be part of driving the change most of us want to see.
Young people must mobilize in order to achieve this - mobilize for jobs, mobilize for equality and mobilize for a united Ireland. Join Ógra Shinn Féin!
Caithfidh daoine óga iad féin a eagrú leis seo a bhaint amach - ar son post, ar son comhionannais, ar son Éire Aontaithe. Gabh le hÓgra Shinn Féin.