Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has today hosted an Infrastructure Youth Assembly to provide a forum for young people to engage with the Department and make their voices heard to aid policy making on a range of infrastructure issues.

Thirty young people joined Minister Mallon along with officials from her Department at an event to explore the topic of 'Travelling to School'. The event aimed to understand how young people travel, the need for change and how her Department can help young people make the switch to more sustainable modes of transport - including walking, cycling, wheeling and public transport.  It also sought ideas from young people.

The event was hosted by and co-facilitated by the Northern Ireland Youth Forum (NIYF).

Speaking at the event Minister Mallon said:

"I have always made it clear that I want to strengthen how my Department engages with young people to inform future decision-making and policy prioritisation and events like today's Infrastructure Youth Assembly are key to this.

"I am delighted, along with my officials and the NI Youth Forum, to have the opportunity through today's Youth Assembly to engage with young people on public transport and active travel.  Young people can be the change that society needs and I want to ensure that their voices are heard loud and clear on this topic enabling my Department to build a better future for them and others. 

"We discussed the social and economic benefits for communities of being active. Walking, wheeling, cycling and access to public transport are key elements of liveable towns and cities and also key in how we respond to the climate emergency, particularly given that transport is the biggest contributor of greenhouse gases here, next to agriculture. 

"We need to think big and think boldly about how we can deliver radical change for our society. With improving lives as our focus we can deliver more.  Creative use of our spaces, such as the development of greenways, making it easier to walk, cycle and wheel will help us achieve that vision and our young people are key to that change. I have been inspired and motivated by their ideas and ambitions.

"Today is about much more than listening to young people about travel. It is about empowering them to help shape infrastructure going forward.  I want to strengthen how my Department engages with young people to inform future decision making and policy prioritisation across every aspect of our responsibilities.  Today's Assembly has provided an opportunity to test how we can do this in an meaningful way and it is clear from the discussions we've had that young people want to play a greater role in shaping and informing policy decisions.  Their feedback on the format and approach and their ideas for how we build on today's event and shape further opportunities will be so important in shaping how we make sure that meaningful engagement with children and young people can be enhanced for the future."

Chris Quinn, Director of NI Youth Forum said:

"We are absolutely delighted to be involved in this event today. Young people have the right to have a say on issues that affect their lives and to have the opportunity to work alongside the Minister, her officials and the Department's Youth Champion is fantastic. We know that Minister Mallon has always been a strong advocate for young people and we look forward to continuing these relationships into the next Assembly mandate and beyond."