The primary aim of the activity was to increase youth awareness and participation in decision-making in relation to climate action policies. First hosted in 2023, the Assembly was instrumental in shaping the Galway County Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029.
This year’s assembly focused on supporting participants to gain an understanding of the steps they can take to reduce their environmental impact with an emphasis on active travel, sustainable food challenges and carbon footprints, while participants were also invited to highlight the actions that Galway County Council can adopt to support young people to initiate positive change individually and through their school and community.
With this Youth Climate Assembly, we wanted to provide a space for young people from our secondary schools and youth organisations to gather to discuss issues that are increasingly impacting our planet. The participants not only heard from experts but also, through participatory methodology, were encouraged to initiate positive change through their own school and/or youth community groups.
The Assembly was co-organised by Galway County Council and the SAUTI-Youth project (Youth Work Ireland Galway), which was attended by students from secondary schools across the county. The event was opened by the Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Martina Kinane, who highlighted the importance of youth involvement when considering climate and environmental policy.
“The Assembly empowers young people to play an active role in shaping our shared environmental future by encouraging them to learn about climate action and actively contribute to local environmental solutions,” added Cllr Kinane. “Our first assembly demonstrated the power of young voices in shaping our Climate Action Plan. This year, we once again heard innovative ideas on how we can support communities to make a tangible difference to their local environments.”
Martina Kinane, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council with Roisin Kelly and Lucy Clarke of Gort Community School, Anastasia Currie of Calasanctius College, Oranmore and Wiktoria Sokol of Sauti-Youth group.
Uinsinn Finn, Director of Services with Galway County Council stated, “We had a fantastic line-up of speakers participating in this event. I wish to thank the schools and students for their active participation. I also want to acknowledge Letizia Gorini Coady and the team at the SAUTI-Youth project and Youth Work Ireland Galway for their work in organising the event and for supporting young people in our community”.