Council empowers young people to take action for the climate and nature

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, in conjunction with the Education Authority Youth Service and Fermanagh and Omagh Youth Voice, held an event at the end of 2023 to engage with young people from the District and empower them to take action against the climate and nature crises.

Approximately 50 pupils from Drumragh Integrated, Loreto Grammar School, Omagh Academy and St John’s Business and Enterprise College, participated in the event which was held in Omagh Youth Centre.

The young people participated in four workshops throughout the day which were led by the Council’s Climate Team, Northern Ireland Water, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and Ulster Wildlife.

Following the workshops, the young people came together for an action planning session.  Led by Fermanagh and Omagh Youth Voice representatives, the young people identified positive steps they could take and lead on to encourage others to take action for the benefit of our environment.

Speaking at the event, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Thomas O’Reilly, said:

“I am confident that you will be inspired to take action to protect your environment.  I would encourage you to lead by example and be ambassadors for Climate Action in our District so you can inspire others to take action and make a difference for your future and future generations.

Through its Climate Change and Sustainable Development Strategy and Biodiversity Strategy, the Council has committed to undertake action to address the Climate Change and biodiversity loss issues.  The Council recognises the need to work in partnership with others to achieve the objectives in both strategies and events such as this can help to achieve this.”

Julie Donaghy from the Education Authority’s Youth Service said:

“The Education Authority was delighted to work with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council to educate, empower and inspire our young people to take action in relation to Climate Change.  Youth Voice members are passionate about environmental work and were delighted to be part of organising and leading on the event.”

A member of Fermanagh and Omagh Youth Voice who attended the event said:

“I think events like this are needed so much for the next generations.  We are the ones who will live in this world, it’s important that we know how to take care of it.”

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to ensuring that our natural and built environment is cherished and sustainably managed and will work with the community and schools to help to achieve this.

If you are interested in finding out more, contact the Council’s Climate Team on climate@fermanaghomagh.com or 0300 303 1777.