Young, gifted and back

Transition Times: The Young Social Innovators award took up plenty of column inches in last year's Transition Times, chiefly because it is such a popular programme. It is also one of the most interesting projects to emerge in education in recent years.

Its objective of getting young people to solve local social problems has the potential to change our communities. Four thousand students have already taken part in YSI; the impact of their work may be felt for years to come.

The YSI competition has changed a little this year. Its organisers want to take the emphasis off the competitive element and focus on the process. The more students that take part in YSI, the more good can be done in schools and communities across the country.

This year YSI participants will be invited to exhibit their projects while they are still in progress, in regional showcases. Rachel Collier, head of YSI, explains why. "Not every group got though to the national showcase last year, and we want every group to have a voice this year. . .

"At the regional events each team will have an opportunity to present within their local area, which, we feel, is the most important forum, particularly if they want to gain support for what they want to achieve. It will be up to the schools to select which project or projects they want to put forward to the national showcase."

More and more young people are getting involved in social action and creating a better world through the Young Social Innovators programme. Two thousand five hundred

students from 135 schools have already signed up to participate this year.

Also new to the programme are the Speak Out forums. Held locally, they will give young participants a new opportunity to raise issues of concern to them and present their ideas for solutions.

This academic year's national showcase will be held on May 10th

and 11th, 2006. If you want to get involved in YSI you need to allot some class time to a social-awareness module.

If you have not been involved, why not try a pilot project, to see if you are ready for the real thing? Many schools that undertook YSI as a pilot have now integrated it into their transition-year curriculums.

To apply call Cathy Roche on 01-6458030 or e-mail cathy@ youngsocialinnovators.ie. See www.youngsocialinnovators.ie for more information