Youth participation is the key to the future of Northern Ireland - this was the message from Junior Ministers Johnathon Bell and Jennifer McCann as they addressed the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People's (NICCY) Participation Awards at the Stormont Hotel, Belfast.

The awards seek to recognise the work in the public sector to involve children and young people in policy development and decision-making.

Speaking at the event Junior Minister Jonathan Bell said: "These awards have given public bodies in Northern Ireland the chance to demonstrate their commitment to involving children and young people in the process of decision making. This is something that has the full support of the Executive because our young people represent our investment in the future.

"The Executive recognises the need to involve children and young people at the earliest possible stage in developing any proposals which concern them. Tonight’s awards ceremony is the evidence that this strategy is in place and that it is working."

Junior Minister Jennifer McCann said: "We are committed to implementing the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child. These awards offer public bodies a fantastic opportunity to show that youth participation is not just something they aspire to but something they are already doing.

"I congratulate NICCY, the award panel members and all the public bodies involved. The Participation Awards highlight examples of young people and public bodies working together to make a real positive contribution for the good of everyone in society."

(IT/GK)