Amy Reilly from Hunter House is pictured here with (L-R) Jeanette Thornton, Office Manager, European Commission Office in Northern Ireland, Belfast Lord Mayor Alderman Brian Kingston and Peter McManus, European Youth Parliament.  Almost 80 young people from Belfast schools are participating in today’s ‘EurVoice’ event at City Hall where they are getting the chance to ‘vote’ and discuss a range of issues affecting them.

Belfast teenagers are getting the chance to ‘vote’ and discuss a range of issues affecting them today at City Hall.

Almost 80 pupils from Belfast schools including Beechlawn Special School, Hunter House and St Louise’s College are taking part in EurVoice 2016. It’s the fifth year that the event has been held as part of European Local Democracy Week.

The event was organised by Belfast City Council in partnership with the Belfast Youth Forum, the European Youth Parliament (EYP) and the European Commission Office (ECO) in Northern Ireland to encourage young people to engage in democratic life and decision-making processes.

Amy Reilly, aged 15 from Hunter House said: “We got the chance to learn about democracy and how the council works.  We also talked about what influences us the most and imagined what we would do if we were Lord Mayor for a day. 

“Then we discussed what BREXIT means to us, got the chance to ‘vote’ on whether or not the UK should have voted to leave the EU using a ballot box and put some local councillors on the spot with our questions!”

Belfast Lord Mayor Alderman Brian Kingston said: “It is refreshing to meet so many well informed and switched on young people.  It’s vital that we listen to our young people to ensure that we’re representing all of our citizens. Whilst they might not have a vote right now, they’re the voters of the future and it can only benefit our society if our teenagers are well informed on the democratic process and feel motivated to get involved in their community and vote when the time comes.”

Peter McManus from the European Youth Parliament said: "It’s fantastic that after hosting the Opening Ceremony of the 81st International Session of the European Youth Parliament in March, Belfast City Hall is today helping to reach out to young people across Belfast from diverse backgrounds, one of the pillars of the EYP network. 

“Europe is now entering a period of change with the upcoming negotiations on the UK leaving the European Union, and it’s vital that young people’s views are heard in this process. Events like EurVoice represent the perfect way for young people to have their say and inform themselves on issues that directly affect them - be it at a local, national or European level.”

Colette FitzGerald, Head of the European Commission Office in Northern Ireland, said: “At a time of almost unprecedented political change, it’s crucial that young people recognise the importance of making their voice heard through their vote.  It’s heartening to see so much enthusiasm here today in support of democracy and involvement in public life.”