16 June, 2006 - Minister De Valera at South Africa Youth Day Celebrations

'Important to value youth and their contribution  across society' - Minister De Valera

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Ms. Síle de Valera, T.D., today attended the 'Youth and Politics' Conference to celebrate Youth Day in South Africa at the RDS in Dublin. 

Minister de Valera highlighted the importance of youth participation across society saying 'Youth and Politics' the theme of your conference addresses an issue that has been high on the Irish youth agenda in recent years.   We must not underestimate the importance of the role youth and their contribution across society.  Every effort must be made to ensure that we include youth and particularly in the development of policies that affect and involve them.  As Minister with responsibility for Youth Affairs I have been involved in a number of significant initiatives developing the role of youth in Irish society.   We have held a number of national youth conferences to bolster this involvement and to disseminate it to local level.  We have made excellent headway in the progression of the Youth Work Act, 2001 and the National Youth Work Development Plan." 

Reflecting on events in Soweto in 1976, Minister de Valera said "it is thirty years since those events brought to the fore the need for social and educational inclusion.  The South African national holiday 'Youth Day' reminds us of the potential dangers of social and educational exclusion and most importantly it reminds us to value our youth and to take part in the celebration of youth." 

Ends