The biggest issues for young people in Donegal today are vaping, bullying and exam stress, according to the Donegal Youth Council.
The topics were to the fore at the Donegal Youth Council Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday.
This event marked the beginning of a new two-year term for incoming members and the selection of key topics for the Youth Council to address during this period.
A survey involving 380 young people was conducted to identify the most pressing issues they face and would like the Youth Council to work on.
The results revealed that vaping was the top concern, with nearly 50% of respondents identifying it as a major issue.
Bullying was the second-most highlighted concern, closely followed by school and exam stress.
During the AGM, 115 young people from schools and youth organizations across the county engaged in in-depth discussions on these three topics. They explored how these issues affect young people, the changes needed, and how these changes might be implemented.
The Donegal Youth Council held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, November 28th, at the Clanree Hotel.
The day also featured information stands from various agencies and organizations within the county, providing opportunities for young people to connect with services and resources.
Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Niamh Kennedy, commended the outgoing Youth Council members for their efforts in addressing issues such as vaping, social media and body image, and mental health. She also emphasized the importance of youth voices and welcomed the newly elected members. “I welcome and congratulate our new incoming Youth Councillors and thank you for stepping forward to represent your schools. As Cathaoirleach, I want to assure you that Donegal County Council values your input and will continue to work alongside you to address these concerns. Your voice matters, and it is being heard.”
The event was hosted by Youth Council Mayor Jessica McDevitt and Deputy Mayor Rowan Buchanan. Reflecting on the day, Jessica said, “It was a pleasure to host the Donegal Youth Council’s AGM in the Clanree Hotel today. It was amazing to see so many young people from across Donegal voicing their opinions and engaging in discussions about our chosen topics—bullying, school and exam stress, and vaping. It was an incredible day for everyone who attended, and it’s exciting to see the ideas and solutions that were shared. This input will be invaluable for our incoming members as they embark on their projects.”
Michael McDevitt, Coordinator of the Donegal Youth Council, also expressed his delight with the event. “It was inspiring to have over 100 young people in a room discussing issues that matter deeply to them and to the future of our county. Today is about giving young people a platform to be heard, and for us as adults to listen and support them. I also want to thank the teachers and youth workers who attended and participated in workshops, showing great support for the young people. I must highlight the incredible work of the outgoing members, who organized this event and many other initiatives during their term. Their dedication and hard work over the past two years have been remarkable. While I’m sad to see their term end, I’m excited to welcome the new group of talented young people who are ready to carry on this vital work.”
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