Public Workshop - 'Do Young People Have a Future in Ireland?'
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Speakers: Student Statements by Louise Fitzgerald (MSc), Liam Kneafsey (MSc), Sam Mealy (MSc) and Conor O'Neill (MSc)
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Discussant Responses by Niall Crowley (former CEO of the Equality Authority), Kathleen Lynch (UCD), Dan O'Brien (The Irish Times) and Philip O'Connell (Gary Institute, UCD)
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Chair: Professor James Wickham, Dean of Faculty AHSS
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Date: Thursday, 25 April, 6 - 8 pm
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Venue: Ui Chadhain Theatre, Arts Building, Trinity College
In recent years, young adults in Ireland have been described as ‘outsiders’ with regard to their position in the labour market and society. The general thematic of the workshop was to assess whether government policy since 2008 has systematically imposed disproportional costs of adjustment upon ‘outsiders’ – new entrants to the labour market – while protecting those already on the inside.
One of the most worrisome manifestations of the great recession has been a record rise in youth unemployment. While unemployment across all age cohorts has risen to a dramatic levels (14.5 percent in 2012), only a quarter of the 15-24 age group are now in work. While Ireland is not unique in this regard, the steep rise in youth unemployment is not a universal phenomenon. Germany, for instance, while experiencing a general rise in unemployment, has experienced a decline in youth unemployment to 8 percent. What more can be done to specifically address unemployment among young people and graduates?
The event has provided a timely contribution to debate on this urgent issue which is driving high levels of migration among young people from Ireland. The meeting gave a voice to Ireland’s youth in the debate. Louise Fitzgerald spoke about modern identity and global citizenship. Liam Kneafsey criticised the government for not sharing burden equally across different social groups and pointed towards further difficulties that this approach may bring in the future. Sam Mealy questioned the role of education policy and universities in 21 century democracy, while Conor O'Neill discussed underpaid internships and academic managerialism. Their full statements can be seen below. Four discussants responded to students statements. Dan O'Brien highlighted positive aspects of crisis emigration and questioned the lack of protest by young people in Ireland. Philip O'Connell presented the real picture of unemployment in Ireland and stressed country's dependance on a particular type of welfare. Niall Crowley pointed out the absence of vision among young people and Kathleen Lynch shared ideas about new types of employment that young people could benefit from - sustainable, local and long term. Discussant biographies can be seen below.