6pm Tuesday 29th November 2016
‘Voices of Young Travellers must be heard’
Remarks by Dr Katherine Zappone,
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs
Launch of ‘Including Young Travellers’ Research
GPO, Dublin
Thank you for you kind welcome and for presenting the findings of
‘Including Young Travellers’.
While there are many parts of the research to welcome there are others
which raise a serious question.
Namely why do Young Travellers not feel welcome in mainstream youth groups?
This question has special importance here in Dublin’s historic GPO – where
100-years ago Irish men and Irish women fought for a Republic of equals.
It is here they set out the ideal of a Nation which cherishes all of her
children equally.
The fact that our Young Travellers believe there are barriers to their
participation in many of our youth movements shows there is still some
distance to travel to reach the ideals of the heroes of 1916.
As I said it is important to acknowledge that there are many positives in
this research.
Mainstream youth organisations are willing to further engage Young
Travellers and most believe at a local level that they are welcoming.
However as Minister for Children and Young People I firmly believe we
should not shirk away from those sections which make for more difficult
reading.
It is important to confront those barriers and focus on how to lift them.
Involvement in youth groups is a lot more than simply promoting arts, sport
and culture - it is about having a voice in our nation’s future - it is
about being an integral part of our culture, our sports and our arts.
On the back of this research I will be asking my Department to reflect on a
number of points:
· Is there a lack of knowledge or even a fear amongst youth leaders
about travellers?
· How do we get more effective outreach?
· How do we get the message out that youth organisations are welcoming?
· How do we challenge young travellers to get involved?
· Can the youth sector be a leader in challenging prejudice,
discrimination and hate? – the answer to this one is a definite yes!
By answering all these questions we not only increase participation but we
also pave the way for young traveller leaders of the future.
Having those leaders is important if we are genuine in ensuring that all
young people have a say in the future of our country.
As the responsible Minister I am working to ensure that young people have a
say in every area of Government policy.
Perhaps the most pressing issue of the day is Brexit.
I want young voices from every community on our island front and centre of
that process.
You are a generation which has grown up in peace without a hard border.
You have grown up seeing child protection, health and social services
operate on an island wide – and in some cases a cross channel – basis.
You know an Ireland where similar human rights North and South are
guaranteed under the Good Friday Agreement.
These must be protected and we need the voices of Young Travellers included
in that process.
Early in 2017 I will be convening a gathering of young people and youth
organisations to discuss all aspects of Brexit – including its social,
economic and political consequences.
This evening I invite Young Travellers to join us by sending
representatives and giving an active voice to your concerns.
In the coming weeks I will also be announcing plans to formulate the first
ever LGBT national youth strategy.
While all who believe in equality celebrated last year’s referendum there
are still many challenges.
I want the voices of young travellers here too.
Together we will confront discrimination in all its forms.
It would be remiss of me to let this evening go by without reference to the
issue of the recognition of Travellers as an ethnic group.
It is a question which has again been the subject of recent media and is to
be considered by the Government in the drafting of a new inclusion
strategy.
As a lifelong campaigner for equality, justice and fairness for all let me
be absolutely clear.
The State must recognise the ethnicity of your community.
In addition the state should commence a dialogue with Traveller
representative groups about legislation required to ensure that Travellers
Human Rights are adequately protected.
Those are my long-standing well-established views and I have made them
known to the Taoiseach and the Government.
In fact recognition of Traveller ethnicity formed part of my negotiations
for Government – it must become a reality.
I would like to conclude by congratulating all involved in this event and
in particular to congratulate those of you who have been involved in youth
services over the years.
For the work you have undertaken to arrive at this point, you are to be
commended.
I commend the work of all youth service providers and salute the expertise,
dedication and commitment of your staff, adult leaders and volunteers.
In Particular I want to acknowledge Martin Ward, Chairperson and James
O’Leary CEO, of Involve.
From the GPO in Dublin – a birthplace for equality in our nation – let’s
unite and pledge to work together and to turn your research into action and
ensure equality for all.