The Fermanagh Shadow Youth Council (or FSYC) is made up of a group of young people whose aim is ‘to give their age group a political voice’.  Developed in 1998 it wants to provide a voice for young people, a link with Fermanagh District Council and decision making, services for youth and to include young people in vital decisions. 

Unlike many other youth groups, the FSYC candidates go through proper PR elections, campaigning for issues close to them. These elections are organised by Fermanagh’s own Districts Council and take place just like our own local elections with polling stations (usually post primary schools and colleges) and official ballot papers with the final count taken in the town hall.

Other young people can also be given the opportunity to help Shadow Councillors with their work by becoming Delegates.  These non-elected members generally have a specific interest, experience or skill and act as ‘civil servants’.  Candidates who stand for election to the Youth Council but are not elected also become delegates. Theses delegates, together with the Shadow Councillors are the main people who nominate future Delegates.

So far the FSYC has held various campaigns and been represented at many conferences, for example: Anti-bullying campaigns, Drugs Awareness Conference, Student Discount Scheme and Cross Community Arts Festival.

The Derry City Youth Council officials took their seats in March 2003 and consist of about 39 members from across the various youth, community, education, geographical, political and community interests in the Derry City Council area.  It aims to be credible, with defined roles and responsibilities, equality and gender proofed, inclusive of socially excluded young people, aware of training needs, sustainable and completely controlled by young people.

The 39 members of the Derry City Youth Council are elected for a two-year period and all young people aged 16 – 25 who live in Derry are entitled to vote. Nomination forms are made available through promotional events (Youth groups and Schools) and public advertisements.

There are four main sections of the Youth council: Geographical (young people from the seven different partnerships in the area are elected to represent their area), Youth Interest Elections (elections with in a number of organisations to work with people with disabilities or those from different Ethnic backgrounds or Travelling backgrounds), Political Elections (the four main parties of the City hold a young persons seat on the Youth Council) and finally open Call (where young people who are not elected apply to the council members and management committee who make the final decision).

There are many benefits from these Youth Councils such as confidence, meeting new people, political awareness experiences that can be useful in future careers and of course learning new skills. If you are interested in a youth council for your area there are several links below which will help you gain contacts and advice.

Fermanagh Shadow Youth Council – www.fsyc.net

Youth Council for Northern Ireland – www.youthcouncil-ni.org.uk

Save the Children – www.savethechildren.org

You can also use the WIMPS facility to find your local politician and contact them about organising a Youth Council