June 9th-
When we arrived at Corrymeela we were greeted by youth from the Pub Group, a diverse group of youth from all around Nothern Ireland that meet and talk about issues that affect their communities and train to teach others in their age groups about issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, safe sex, and diversity. They talked about their experiences growing up in Northern Ireland and the importance of youth voice. I interviewed them and they explained to me the reason they became so involved with the Pub groupand Corrymeela was because they were taken seriously and were part of the decision making process.
When we arrived at Corrymeela we were greeted by youth from the Pub Group, a diverse group of youth from all around Nothern Ireland that meet and talk about issues that affect their communities and train to teach others in their age groups about issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, safe sex, and diversity. They talked about their experiences growing up in Northern Ireland and the importance of youth voice. I interviewed them and they explained to me the reason they became so involved with the Pub groupand Corrymeela was because they were taken seriously and were part of the decision making process.
The PUB group is a self-named youth group that does critical youth work in a too much neglected field - "cross community youth leadership." When you have youth in conflict, like in Northern Ireland, getting young people to know, trust and work with each other across the divide between Catholic/Protestants or Loyalist/Republicans is simply critical youth work. The PUB group is a special initiative of Corrymeela to both facilitate cross community dialog but also practice sound youth work. mmm
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