Issue 45: May 2005 - Youth Work Ireland

Round UpDEVELOPMENT OF RECREATION POLICYFOR YOUNG PEOPLEOn Wednesday 4 May the Minister for ChildrenBrian Lenihan TD launched the ConsultationDocument for the Development of a RecreationPolicy for Young People. The National Children’sOffice (NCO) has responsibility for the developmentof this policy, which will deal with recreationprogrammes an facilities that are funded by theGovernment.The NCO wishes to engage in a consultation processon the development of the Recreation Policy. Theconsultation is aimed at organisations and individualsworking with young people, teachers, parentsand young people. The consultation document setsout the background to developing the policy (as partof the National Childrens Strategy), identifies someof the potential barriers and motivators that hinderor encourage participation in recreation and set outthe purposes objective of the policy.A Steering Group is being established by the NCOto develop the Policy, taking into account the resultsof research recently undertaken with over 2,000young people on the views about opportunities, barriersand support to recreation and leisure in Irelandand the views expresses during the consultationprocess.MINISTER LAUNCHES SECOND LEVELSTUDENT COUNCILS RESEARCHOn 25 April Brian Lenihan, TD, Minister forChildren launched the report: A Study on Enablers,Barriers and Supports on Second Level StudentCouncils in Ireland. The study was conducted bythe Children’s Research Centre in Trinity College onbehalf of the Student Council Working Group,established by the National Children’s Office.THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH WERE:To examine contemporary thinking on student councilsTo describe the operation of student councilsin IrelandTo identify enablers and barriers to goodpractice in the establishment, developmentand operation of student councils as perceived by management, teachers, studentsand other key personnelTo identify ways in which student councilscan play a meaningful role in second levelschoolsTo make recommendations about how student councils can be effectively supportedTo make recommendations on the trainingneeds of all stakeholdersFor further information on both theRecreation Policy for Young People andthe Student Council Research pleasecontact:National Children’s Office1st Floor, St. Martin’s HouseWaterloo RoadDublin 4Tel: 01 2420006Fax: 01 6641929Website: www.nco.ieGALWAY CITY ANTI-RACISM STRATEGYGalway City Partnership launched ‘Towards A CityOf Equals - Galway City Anti-Racism Strategy2005-2008’ on 21 March 2005, the InternationalDay Against Racism.This initiative, the first of it’s kind in Ireland, isdesigned to combat racism and promote interculturalismlocally through the implementation of a widerange of strategic actions throughout Galway Cityover the coming years.The strategy documents can be downloaded fromGalway City Partnership’s website www.gcp.ie.Irish Youth Work Scene 23 Issue 45, May, 2005