LIMERICK teenagers have spoken out over their concerns on social issues ranging from mental health to bullying, suicide awareness and childhood obesity.
Around 400 students from 11 Limerick schools participated in the ‘All Ireland Speak Out’ event at the Lime Tree Theatre in Mary Immaculate College.
The programme, which gives young people the skills to examine social problems and bring about the changes they wish to see in their communities, was organised by Young Social Innovators (YSI) which was founded in 2001 by Sr Stanislaus Kennedy and Rachel Collier to empower young people through social innovation.
At the Limerick event, young people highlighted the practical steps they are taking to tackle a range of issues including mental health bullying, healthy living and suicide awareness to preventing childhood obesity as part of their YSI project.
Stating that young people were too often dismissed as being self-absorbed, Sr Stanislaus Kennedy said the event highlighted the role of young people who were completely engaged in society and prepared to play an active role in resolving some of the most pressing social issues.
“The naturally inquisitive nature of our young people is to be applauded and we, as a society, need to take heed of the issues they are highlighting. Direct involvement in action is the best possible way in which we bring about real change and learn about the society we live in,” commented chief executive officer and YSI co-founder Rachel Collier.
