Issue 68: June 2011 - Youth Work Ireland

organisations they still feel they are lacking a placeto hang out, a swimming pool and that there are nodiscos in their area appropriate to them. 55% of theyoung people surveyed admitted to drinkingoccasionally, with many drinking at home, in pubsand at house parties with those who do drink,consuming different types of alcohol. 9.6% smoke ona regular basis and with only 10% having taken drugsexcluding alcohol and cigarettes.Young people were asked did they have any skills/talents/strengthsthat they would like to share and putto use with other young people and their community.Of the 51% who responded to thequestion, they had a multitude of attributes to share.This action of young people giving forward what theybelieve are their strengths shows the positive regardyoung people have for themselves and that theybelieve they can share and contribute within theirown community. By believing that they havesomething of worth to pass on shows a level of selfesteem and confidence that young people have.Issues facing young people in County Monaghanreflected by the respondents were drinking, nofacilities or places to hang out, unemployment, peerpressure, bullying and racism and family issues. Themajority of young people feel they do mix well withyoung people from different cultures especially inschools and projects.The young people surveyed do not believe whatreligion people are matters and that everyone is andshould be treated the same. They do feel that thepeace process has had an impact on their lives as it issafer and they have formed friendships both Northand South. They believe having mixed schools andmore cross border projects is the way forward forlasting peace in Ireland.For further information or to request a copy of theTeenage Perspectives Report please contact:Melissa MackinYouth Outreach Information andTraining ManagerYouth Work Ireland MonaghanCastleblayney Youth Information CentreDublin RoadCastleblayneyCo. MonaghanTel: 087 9057598Email: outreachinfo@ywimonaghan.ie,Web: www.youthworkireland.ie/monaghan,www.facebook.com/ywimonThis project is part financed by the EuropeanUnion’s European Regional Development fundthrough the Peace III Programme and fundedthrough Monaghan Peace III Partnership. YouthWork Ireland‐Monaghan’s Youth InformationService is part‐funded by the Office of the Ministerfor Children and Youth Affairs.Next StepsFrom the findings Youth Work Ireland Monaghanwill be setting recommendations for their ownorganisations in order to acknowledge what theyoung people in this survey have said. From thereport it is apparent that as youth workers andeducators we have to provide young people withwhat they need depending on their age, gender,community and status but we also have to listen towhat they want and work in partnership with themrather than isolation.Irish Youth Work Scene 4 Issue 68, June 2011