Mayo teenager represents Ireland at EU Conference
Tara Denise McCarthy (Cork), Charlotte Emma Langan (Mayo), Richard Michael McKeever (Dublin) and Ódhran Séan Maxwell (Carlow), delegates from the National Youth Assembly of Ireland, at the Irish Presidency conference Strengthening Inclusive Democratic Participation and Civic Engagement within the EU in Brussels.
A 19-year-old from Mayo is among four Irish delegates to represent Ireland at an EU Democracy Conference.
Charlotte Emma Langan, from Mayo, was one of four young people from the National Youth Assembly of Ireland invited to attend a major Irish Presidency conference on democratic participation and civic engagement in Brussels this week.
The conference, Strengthening Inclusive Democratic Participation and Civic Engagement within the EU, was organised by the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union in partnership with the General Secretariat of the Council.
The event brought together European policymakers, civil society leaders, academics and democracy experts to explore practical ways to strengthen democratic participation, build public trust in institutions and ensure that all voices are heard in decision-making.
As part of Ireland's commitment to ensuring that citizens are actively involved in shaping the policies that affect their lives, the Presidency invited four young people from the National Youth Assembly of Ireland to attend as special guests.
The delegates are active members of Ireland's youth participation structures and have contributed to democratic deliberation through their involvement in the National Youth Assembly, helping to ensure that young people's voices are heard in national decision-making processes.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley said:"Young people have an important and invaluable contribution to make as leaders in society. Ireland is particularly pleased to be represented by four young people from the National Youth Assembly of Ireland, whose participation reflects our commitment to ensuring that young people have a meaningful voice in shaping the future of our local, national and European democracies."
