PhD Students

The [Irish] National Children’s Strategy was published in 2000 and included as part of this strategy is ‘Teenspace’, the National Recreation Policy for children and young people. In December 2005, the Irish government set up the Office for the Minister for Children (OMCYA), to ensure children had a stronger voice in issues directly affecting them. The Taskforce on Active Citizenship was established in Ireland in 2006 in order to review trends of civic participation among citizens of Ireland, and also to compare the Irish situation with what was happening in an international context. This project will examine the voice of teenagers in Ireland, with a view to assessing if teenagers do indeed have a voice and also crucially, a say in formulating the policy decisions directly affecting their lives. The aim therefore, is to analyse and critically evaluate policy initiatives affecting young people’s participation in civic life in the Republic of Ireland. Additionally, this thesis will endeavour to suggest other, more innovative ways of inviting teenagers into the participatory process.