A new initiative that encourages young people to get involved in social activity has the potential to help address the dramatic drop-off in volunteering, Minister of State Noel Ahern said yesterday.
Young Social Innovators, a social awareness programmes for 15- to 16-year-olds, aims to get people involved in social issues that affect them and help bring about change in the community.
A major exhibition, similar in style to the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, will take place at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin on May 11th and 12th involving 1,800 students, 120 projects and 74 schools.
The projects due to be exhibited range from tackling childhood obesity and care for older people to the trafficking of women into Ireland for sexual exploitation.
Mr Ahern said there was concern that changes in lifestyle had affected a lack of volunteerism. However, he added, widespread involvement in events such as the Special Olympics had showed the desire among people to get involved in civic life.
"The Special Olympics was a huge example of what people are prepared to commit to. That was on a once-off basis. It doesn't end there. What we're trying to do is harness that goodwill and make it of value on a regular basis.We're concerned that volunteerism across a whole range of activities has decreased. That's why we've announced an overall €2 million package to help encourage projects on the ground relating to volunteerism such as this."
Among the projects due to be exhibited next month include:
Helping Muslim students integrate into Irish schools (Cross and Passion College, Co Kildare)
Building schoolrooms and a community hall in Calcutta, India (John Scottus School, Dublin)
How to respond to the decline in faith among young people (St Colman's Community College, Midleton, Co Cork)
Raising awareness of fathers' rights (St Mary's College, Naas, Co Kildare)
Tackling youth homelessness and examining how different agencies are dealing with the issue (Loreto College, Dublin).
Young Social Innovator programme chief executive Rachel Collier said a key aspect of the initiative was to encourage young people to take notice of problems in society and help create solutions.
"It's important that in a society which evaluates itself using measures such as wealth and material possessions, that our young people don't lose sight of the social issues faced by people."
"The programmes show that, given the opportunity, young people tackle social issues with enthusiasm, creativity and commitment. Too often young people are portrayed as self-centred and self-absorbed. Teams involved to date have shown the extraordinary dedication of young people to social justice."
