POLITICAL AWARENESS WEEK:A community college in Dublin is whipping up interest in politics by inviting party leaders to answer tough questions
WHY SHOULD young people engage with politics? And, when a 16-year old student can’t vote, why would politicians engage with them? Earlier this month, politicians from the main parties braved an audience at St Macdara’s Community College in Templeogue, Co Dublin, and answered their questions on these and other topics. The question time was part of the school’s Political Awareness Week, which involved students from first year through to Transition Year and into sixth year.
Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore, Green Party leader John Gormley, Fine Gael spokesman on education Brian Hayes, Socialist Party leader Joe Higgins, Minister for Foreign Affairs Michael Martin and Sinn Féin leader in the Dáil Caoimghín Ó Caoláin attended, with FG leader Enda Kenny making a brief appearance. The event was chaired by RTÉ news anchor Brian Dobson.
“It was a big challenge to get the party leaders out,” said sixth-year student Dale McDermott, who approached his principal with the idea for a Political Awareness Week last year. “I’m really glad they came, but I think that politicians should accept the invite to other schools if they can; they’re elected representatives and they’ll only get young people interested in politics if they’re willing to talk with them.”
Bryan Dobson, chair of the panel, pointed out that students – along with the rest of the country – may have good reason to be cynical about politics and politicians, especially in light of recent events. He added, however, that the decisions made by today’s politicians will have massive consequences for today’s teenagers.
“Young people should engage in a conversation with their politicians,” says McDermott, who is a member of Young Fine Gael. “The best way of doing this is to bring the politicians to them so the students can ask what they want and get an answer. I could see a different side to the politicians today – they’re humans like you and me and they make mistakes. It’s important to remember this.”
As part of Political Awareness Week (this is the school's second annual event), 10 students at St Macdara's were audience members on RTÉ 1's new current affairs programme The Frontline, hosted by Pat Kenny. On Tuesday, they hosted a non-uniform day, with prizes given to students who dressed as a national politician. Then, on Wednesday, a number of students went on a trip to Dáil Éireann to see the workings of Leinster House for themselves.
“We set ourselves a bigger challenge this year,” says McDermott. “We wanted to get an even bigger panel. I wrote out a list of the guests I hoped would attend and sent it to their office. I was delighted that they could attend. Organising an event like this is a lot of work. The committee had to keep in touch with the guests and make sure they can come on the day, organise sponsorship, and promote the event. But it was worth the effort.”
Students and teachers may be interested in a project organised by the European Commission in Ireland. The Mock European Council for Schools gives students a flavour of the EU’s workings. For more information, e-mail joan.Flanagan@ec.europa.eu
