Members of the NICCY Youth Panel have told the Health Minister their main goal is promote young people within the Health portfolio following a meeting at Parliament Buildings on Tuesday.
During the introductory meeting with Mike Nesbitt, five members of the Youth Panel expressed their concerns on certain issues and added the system should be ‘shaped around children and young people’.
Tasja, Eva, Mohamed, Maddison and Oliver had the opportunity to ask the Minster questions focusing mainly on waiting lists, the Transformation Agenda, access to information and co-operation between Departments, specifically relating to schools.
Oliver, said: “We feel young people should have a seat at the table and have our voices heard on matters that are important to us.
“Adults can vote based on their concerns so why shouldn’t we have our chance to hold politicians to account on these issues we are living through.
“I feel really positive about how the meeting went today and hope this is the start of a conversation with the Health Minister.
We have been assured there will be a second meeting so that is very positive, and he listened closely to everything we had to say. I am looking forward to more discussions with them so areas impacting children and young people can be tackled correctly with children’s rights at the heart of decision making.
Tasja added: “We want to see a system that is built around children and young people and not leaving them as an afterthought.
“We see the issues because we are living them, so it is paramount young people are involved and consulted on areas that directly impact them.
“Those in power have a duty to deliver for young people and because of organisations like NICCY we have the chance to talk to politicians about our lived experiences.”
Commissioner, Chirs Quinn, who accompanied the Youth Panel to Stormont welcomed the chance for them to sit down with Minster Nesbitt.
“This meeting was organised following my introductory meeting with the former Health Minster, Robin Swann.
“I had suggested the Youth Panel attend a subsequent meeting and I am delighted they have had the opportunity to have their voices heard on very important issues.
“I look forward to future meetings with other Ministers to ensure that young people’s insights shape government initiatives and uphold their rights.”
