Nathan Potts, Drumragh Integrated College

Recently I went on a trip with 7 others from Northern Ireland to Geneva to present at a conference in the UN. The report presented was called the “NI Young Peoples’ Report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child”.

I was recommended by my School, Drumragh Integrated College, as one of two young people representing the experience of children educated in the Integrated Sector for the trip.  I must admit, after reading the full report following research with 900 children and young people across NI on their current enjoyment of a range of key UNCRC Rights, I was surprised at just how many young people are not enjoying life as I am.  I am lucky that I belong to a family I enjoy being part of, a great school that I love belonging to and which no doubt is helping me not only reach my full potential, but is also (I realised following this experience) a ‘listening school’, having great health including mental health which I’m much clearer now about. The trip allowed us as a group to inform key decision makers that not all children and young people are happy with the following:

1. Participation in education at home, in their community and in governmental decisions;
2. Knowledge of rights and adult respect for rights;
3. Enjoyment in my community free from decimation;
4. Mental health provision for young people.

Overall, results from both the survey and the children and young people’s research workshops demonstrate that some young people are enjoying some of their rights more than others.

The government needs to develop and implement a more ‘holistic’ rights-based strategy for improving the lives of all children and young people in Northern Ireland. In particular, urgent attention should be given to addressing the sense of alienation experienced by many young people in their communities, lack of awareness of and respect for children’s rights among adults and duty bearers in general and the worrying disconnect between vulnerable young people with mental health needs and mental health services.

This opportunity meant a number of days of preparation were planned and I attempted to attend all of them. These preparation days provided me with the following opportunities:

1. Allowed me to meet many young people from different schools, from the big city (I live in a rural part of NI compared to Belfast), some with disabilities, ‘older’ young people etc, which was all great.
2. I gained a better understanding of children’s rights and how some of them  are being ignored by the adults in our society who are supposed to know better and have the power to change this for children and young people.
3. Attend the UN committee meeting in Geneva and attempt to change Northern Ireland for the better of young people and children.
4. See another country and culture.
5. MOST IMPORTANTLY, realize how lucky I am in all aspects of my life and how unfortunate others are, especially those with a disability including poor mental health

Lagan College Pupil.

I had the pleasure of taking part in a recent trip to Geneva to speak with members of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

Both Nathan and I saw this as a fantastic opportunity to explain the importance of Integrated Education in Northern Ireland –  how it promotes long lasting relationships between children of different faiths and cultures and is crucial to a positive up-bringing.

According to many reports such as the YP report, over 60% of young people would prefer to be part of the Integrated Education system – and yet IE is suffering cuts of up to 15%!  Many UN commissioners were shocked to hear this and the extent of the potential impact of these cuts on children’s lives, especially those who live in segregated areas.

Something I learned at this event is that many of the UN members (and representatives of other parts of the UK such as England) don’t know what Integrated Education is or why it is important in Northern Ireland. I believe the government should not only invest more money into the Integrated Education system, but also promote understanding of what Integrated Education is and why it benefits so many young people today.