Vision of a shared future defined by Ireland’s youth

A universal north-south travel card, free access to health services, the end of religious patronage in schools, and raising the vacant home tax to 10 per cent are among the aspirations of Ireland’s first Shared Island Youth Forum.

Comprising of 80 young civic leaders from diverse backgrounds, all of whom were born after the Good Friday Agreement, the forum’s representatives were nominated by a wide range of community organisations north and south.

Having already met nine times in 2024 to deliberate and agree on a statement of their vision and values for the future of the island, the forum’s Vision and Values for a Shared Future on the island of Ireland set out aspirations on themes of sustainability, opportunity, wellbeing, culture and identity and equality.

Alongside high level and broad aspirations including that the Government should invest in renewable energy technologies and support infrastructure to facilitate the transition to carbon neutral transport networks, the forum also calls on the Government to establish “stronger north-south cooperation and pooling of resources between environment and energy departments”, as well as “more inclusive, all-island civic dialogue to inform climate action policy through existing channels and a new all-island forum”.

The young leaders also indicate that environmental education be “seamlessly integrated” into education systems across the island to educated Ireland’s youth about the threat of climate change.

As part of their Vision of Opportunity, the leaders aspire for every person to have access to “free, public and inclusive education, equitable opportunities in employment, and safe, secure housing”.

The Youth Forum has advised the Government to invest in an all-island travel scheme and increased transport connectivity between existing rail and bus services.

The Youth Forum has suggested that an ease of travel across the island, supported by a universal north-south travel card that is compatible on all modes of public transport can help facilitate young people pursuing more opportunities on a cross border basis.

Included in those aspirations most likely to stoke debate are calls to join up the health services on the island, with resources shared “at every level” across the island, while provision is made for “conscientious objection” for healthcare workers.

Education

Additionally, the Youth Forum calls for a standardised and consistent provision of “inclusive and evidence-based relationship and sexuality education” in schools.

The leaders have emphasised the need for a greater understanding of Ireland’s shared history.

They have called for a reform of the history syllabus, north and south, which includes perspectives of nationalists, unionists and other traditions on the island.

The syllabus will also embolden underrepresented voices of women, migrants, the Traveller and Roma community and other minority groups.

As part of the Youth Forum’s Vision of Equality, the young leaders have called for the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to educate and engage young people on politics from an early age in school and extend voting rights to over-16s and all residents.

Other reforms proposed in the education sector include the removal of religious patronage and end of selective schools, transferring all grammar schools to high schools.
Reform of the school curricula and teacher training for greater consistency has been proposed, as has “equality of access for education systems north/south”, particularly aimed at the UCAS and CAO systems.

On housing, the forum have stated that “every person has the right to affordable, safe and secure housing”.

To ensure that more people have access to a secure and affordable house, they have suggested that the Government raise the vacant home tax to a minimum of 10 per cent, with the proceeds allocated towards homelessness services.

For social housing, the Youth Forum statements suggest that the Government and Northern Ireland Executive ease planning requirements for modular housing, increase supply and ease access to social housing across the island.

The opinions and aspirations have been praised by the leadership of the Irish Government.

Speaking at Dublin Castle, in front of over 250 civic representatives from across the island, Taoiseach Simon Harris TD, said that the forum will provide a future where “no matter what, all communities feel accepted and at home”.

“The Youth Forum’s work will inform and inspire how we develop the Shared Island Initiative and how all… work for a shared, reconciled society on this island,” he says.

“There is an opportunity now to seize the moment and harness the hope, energy and ambition that is reflected in the Youth Forum’s vision, values and actions.”

Harris paid tribute to the forum members for participating, as well as the National Youth Council and Youth Action Northern Ireland for their continued support with the Shared Island Unit.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin TD, welcomed the youth forum’s vision for a shared future.

“The forum’s statement is a testament to the hopes, dedication and passion of the members and of their generation, to drive forward with building a shared, reconciled future for all communities on the island of Ireland, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.”