Translink’s Youth Summit will return at the end of the month and is calling for young people aged 14-24 or those representing youth organisations to register for the in-person event for the opportunity to share their views, experiences and ideas on the future of public transport.
Hosted by the dynamic and engaging Science Communicator and TEDx speaker, Emer Maguire, the event will take place at Stormont on Friday 28 October from 10.30am – 3pm and will give young people in Northern Ireland the opportunity to have their say on how Translink can help meet their current and future transport needs.
The Youth Summit is an initiative developed by members of the Translink Youth Forum and the NI Youth Forum which meets regularly to discuss the experiences of young people using public transport.
This year the Summit will introduce workshops on four topics facilitated by NI Youth Forum youth workers, including Transport Around the World, The Future of Public Transport, Changemakers, and Respect.
Jane Purdy, Insight and Research Manager at Translink, said the youth-focused event is an ideal opportunity for young people to have a say:
“The Translink Youth Forum is already raising important issues and providing essential feedback on our services and network which we’re committed to listening to and learning from.
"The Youth Summit event will take this one step further by opening up the conversation to an even wider audience, which will help us understand what we’re getting right, what we can improve, and what young people want to see in terms of change.
“Climate is a major issue which many young people are already voicing their opinion on and lobbying for change and at Translink we’re taking the lead with our pledge to be climate positive by 2050 – a promise we’re already delivering on with over 100 zero emission buses currently on the roads and even more planned over the next year.
"We know public transport is essential in building a sustainable future for generations to come and that’s why it’s so important for events like The Youth Summit to ensure we’re better connected with what young people want and need.”
Commenting on the importance of youth involvement, Dearbhla Ni Ruanaidh from the Northern Ireland Youth Forum said:
“The Translink Youth Summit will be an exciting opportunity for young people to have their say in Stormont and connect with decision makers about public transport. We want to encourage young people aged 14 – 25 from across the region to come along and get involved.
"The Northern Ireland Youth Forum and Translink have worked in partnership for over ten years to help promote youth voice and meet their needs when using public transport. Translink Youth Forum continue to create change to ensure public transport is not a barrier for young people’s participation.”
To book a place email dearbhla.niruanaidh@niyf.org or for more information on the Translink Youth Forum visit www.translink.co.uk/youthforum