Communicating Europe

The Youth Of Today: The Future Of Our Continent

Under the 2014 to 2020 LEADER programme a Youth Needs Analysis for Duhallow and the expanded Duhallow area was formally undertaken. This research report was launched in July 2021 and represented one of the most extensive in-depth studies undertaken among young people in rural Ireland. Looking at the experiences of school aged teenagers right up to young adults in the 18 to 35 age cohort, the surveys undertaken gave the younger people of Duhallow a platform to express their view, concerns and hopes. Addressing issues ranging from housing to infrastructure this study showed that those aged 18 to 35 exhibit a strong sense of place and a commitment to their home communities in Duhallow – regardless of where they currently live. At present, IRD Duhallow are currently planning to set up a youth forum for younger people in the Duhallow area, this is a very positive measure in supporting the younger population of the region. From freedom to travel and live in Europe to opportunities to study under Erasmus+ there have been notable openings for the youth of EU. Under the Communicating Europe Initiative Cian Sheehan submitted his views in relation to youth.

By CIAN SHEEHAN

Europe.

The word itself, those six letters in print, conjures countless images and ideas in my mind, a kaleidoscope of culture, experiences, creativity and freedom. As an Irish 19 year old, the privilege I have of being a citizen of both my home nation and the European Union as a whole will forever be incalculable. However, while being aware of my privileges, I’m also aware of the struggles we face together as a continent.

Climate change, the refugee crisis, crippling poverty, rising housing costs and the war in Ukraine are just a fraction of the issues we face as a united front in the future. Yet politicians continue to ignore us young people, the future of this continent, the ones who are going to be dealing with these situations and tackling them head on.

From Greta Thunberg poignantly addressing the worldwide climate and environmental crisis to young people here in Ireland protesting against the unbearably high rental prices, it truly begs the question;

will they ever listen?

EU 50: E, U, AND ME

By Florrie Murphy

Florrie Murphy with her uncle, friend of Discover Duhallow; Br. Malachy Buckley.

Maurice Clancy used to say, “we were all born fifty years too soon”. My mother who would have been in her 90th year now told me that growing up. On the 1st of January 1973, we joined the common market, now the EU. It was the same year I started secondary school in Boherbue Comprehensive School. We have made a lot of progress in that time; this was a completely new school for our locality. As first years it was decided we would take all the subjects the school had to offer which included French, Latin, music, art, metal work, woodwork, and technical graphics. Ireland of the 1970s was a growing country with a lot of large families, and not a lot of jobs. The prized positions were a teacher, nurse, garda, or the civil service.

I believe the EU did very well for Ireland as we were an island country, dominated by England and depending on trade from and to them. Brexit has thought us a hard lesson on why it is important not to rely on one country for our produce. With an expanding population of over 447 million, Europe offers great business opportunities. The EU opened European markets and we export our dairy products to almost every country in Europe, not just our cheese our meat is some of the best in the EU. It is much easier to trade as we share the same currency. The Euro was initially hard to get used to, but it has opened many doors. We can now compare prices in other European countries, and we can travel without changing our money.

I believe that we are in for a bright future as Europeans.