Young people take part in Democracy Day
25th October 2019
Young people from across the Fermanagh and Omagh district had the opportunity to learn more about local democracy and have their say on a range of local issues as part of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s ‘Democracy Day’.
More than 100 young people from 14 post primary schools across the Fermanagh and Omagh district and Omagh Youth Council attended special events in the Council’s civic buildings at the Townhall, Enniskillen and The Grange, Omagh, on 15 October 2019.
Participants had the opportunity to meet local Councillors and discover more about local democracy with Councillors Adam Gannon; John McClaughry; Thomas O’Reilly; and Bernice Swift hosting students at the Townhall and Councillors Mark Buchanan; Stephen Donnelly; Pádraigín Kelly; Emmet McAleer and Chris Smyth hosting students at The Grange.
As well as having the opportunity to ask Councillors questions on a range of topics, the young people were also updated on the Council’s draft Corporate Plan, which is currently open for public consultation.
Once finalised, the Corporate Plan will set out the key activities which the Council will undertake with others over the next four years to improve the lives and wellbeing of local communities and to provide the best quality experience for those visiting the district.
Those in attendance had the opportunity to have their say on the Council’s draft Corporate Plan by participating in discussion workshops facilitated by Councillors on topics including climate change; health and wellbeing; tackling disadvantage; developing tourism; and jobs and the local economy. Feedback from those in attendance will help to inform the final version of the Council’s Corporate Plan 2020-2024.
Schools that participated in the Council’s ‘Democracy Day’ in Omagh included Drumragh Integrated College, Loreto Grammar School, Omagh High School, Sacred Heart College, St John’s Business and Enterprise College together with representatives of Omagh Youth Council while schools in Fermanagh included Devenish College, Erne Integrated College, Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, Mount Lourdes grammar School, St Fanchea’s College, St Kevin’s College, St Michael’s College and South West College.