Northern Ireland Youth Assembly

Northern Ireland Youth Assembly

Abbreviation	NIYA
Formation	5 December 2018
Founded at	Parliament Buildings, Belfast
Type	Voluntary simulated unicameral legislature
Fields	Youth empowerment Legislative simulation
Membership	90 (2021-present)
Official language	English
Parent organization	Northern Ireland Assembly
Website	https://niyouthassembly.org/

The Northern Ireland Youth Assembly is a youth model legislature established in 2021 by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

It states that its purpose is to empower young people to make decisions and to provide them with a voice in Northern Ireland politics. ^{[1] [2]}

Background

The Northern Ireland Youth Assembly was first proposed by the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission in 2020. ^[3]

The NIYA was formed in November 2021 and consists of 90 13-17 year olds, with two year terms. ^{[4] [5]} Members of the Youth Assembly are chosen to be broadly representative of Northern Ireland society in terms of section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, which mentions different characteristics such as ethnicity, race, disability. ^{[4] [6]}

Sittings

In the March 2025 sitting, the debate included discussion on reducing the voting age from 18 to 16. ^[7]

See also

• UK Youth Parliament

References

1. "Northern Ireland Youth Assembly – Help Shape Your Future". niyouthassembly.org. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
2. Watson, Tori (19 October 2024). "Northern Ireland Youth Assembly 'gives young people a voice'". UTV News. Archived from the original on 20 February 2025. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
3. "NI Youth Assembly to be introduced at Stormont". BBC News. 22 July 2020. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
4. "Northern Ireland Youth Assembly has first sitting at Stormont". BBC News. 6 November 2021. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
5. "Northern Ireland Youth Assembly members meet at Stormont". BBC News. 3 December 2023. Archived from the original on 30 January 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
6. "Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998: A Guide for Public Authorities" (PDF). Equality Commission for Northern Ireland . 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
7. Allen, Bernie (23 March 2025). "'Giving 16-year-olds voting rights would help young people engage'". BBC News. Archived from the original on 23 March 2025. Retrieved 25 May 2025.