3rd
Annual Youth Conference
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Back
by popular demand was Tom Lyons from England
who helped everyone loosen up and feel more relaxed in their
surroundings. Tom kept the masses entertained as well as encouraging
group participation throughout the day.
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Tom
was followed by Cormac Wilson (SVP Regional
Board) who spoke briefly but realistically about the prison
work carried out by SVP within the region
at Magilligan, Maghaberry and Hydebank Wood. Cormac addressed
the ethos of the Society explaining that it was our duty as
Vincentians to reach out not just to prisoners, but also to
their families.
Linda
Savage (Regional Trainer) followed quickly with invaluable
tips and guidance on visitation.
As some of the schools present are already actively involved,
this part of the day proved particularly helpful.
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Workshops
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Group
Sessions
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The
workshops gave all the youth a chance to meet with other schools
and colleges and to discuss topics regarding the Society and
its works. During this period the teachers were invited into
the nearby conservatory with Regional Youth President Michael
Gormley for 'time-out'.
Over
230 young people attended this year's Youth Conference in
'The Elk' Toomebridge on Friday 20th October 2006.
Seventeen
schools, universities and colleges from throughout Northern
Ireland were represented at the gathering organised annually
as a way for Youth SVP members to meet up and share ideas.
The day got underway with a very interesting and informative
talk from the Children's Commissioner & Chief Executive
of NICCY
Barney McNeany.
Barney,
in his presentation went on to "Counter the perception
of children and young people as citizens of the future
to citizens with rights
now".
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He
talked about the wide range of issues that NICCY dealt
with and encouraged the participation of young people
in school councils to assert themselves. They should
feel free to contact NICCY should they be aware of issues
they feel that affect young people directly. |
Poverty
Drama
Youth
members of St Cecilia's Secondary school
in Derry staged a unique and refreshing portrayal of modern-day
poverty. The girls (mostly 6th formers) explored poverty from
the angle of the expense and anguish of preparing for a school
formal.
The
girls used drama as an excellent tool to explore the stress
and sometimes extreme measures that young people put themselves
through to go to a school formal.
A
huge congratulations to Mrs Mullan and all the girls involved
for an excellent and hard-hitting sketch.
Claire
O'Neill (Lumen Christi Derry) and Daniel Hughes (St Malachy's
Belfast) rounded the day off with a synopsis of what they
got up to at Castlewellan
and Corrymeela.
They spoke positively about their experiences and encouraged
others to participate in future events.
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Fr
McCullagh Chaplain NUU Coleraine in his address with
Michael Gormley (Reg Youth President) to left |
Barney
McNeany (NICCY) with Aileen Coney (Reg Admin) and Sarah
Jane Loughrey (Reg Youth Dev Officer) |
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