Teenagers to boost social awareness exhibition

A new exhibition promoting social awareness among teenagers is set to become almost double the size of the established Young Scientist Exhibition, it was claimed today.

A total of 1,867 entrants from all over the country will take part in the Young Social Innovators showcase next week, making the event almost twice the size of the YSE in terms of numbers of exhibitors.

The announcement was made after government ministers expressed fears about the declining levels of volunteering in Ireland.

Young Social Innovators is a social awareness education programme for 15 to 16-year-olds which is designed to address the drop off in volunteering.

The aim of the scheme is to encourage young people to get involved in social issues that affect them and to understand that they can do something positive to bring about change.

The programme will culminate in a showcase exhibition in City West on May 11 and 12 where 1,867 students from 74 schools will exhibit 121 projects.

Minister of State Noel Ahern said the Government was committed to the programme and would be funding it for the next three years.

“It is important for the state to actively encourage social awareness and activity in young people and to tackle the disinterest in community involvement,” he said.

“As we achieve great successes economically, it is important that all society benefits, including the disadvantaged.

“The ultimate outcome of a policy on volunteering is to inspire people to participate in the development of their communities and to put the necessary supports in place to turn that inspiration into action.”

Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, Chairperson of Young Social Innovators commended the Government’s support.

“The numbers of students who have demonstrated their commitment to the programme is overwhelming,” she said.

“Through the programme each of them has experienced what it is like to identify an issue, find a solution and put that solution into place.

“The result is real solutions by teenagers for issues that affect and concern them. It is important to give them a platform to voice their opinions on real issues.

“This experience will stay with them and we look forward to reaping the benefits in years to come.”

Judging criteria for YSI projects is based on the depth of knowledge and understanding reached on the chosen issue, how young people work together in a team, the partnerships they create, the innovative nature of their response to the social issue and how well they communicate their project and innovation.