Assembly Calls for Change!

Following hot on the heels of our highly successful Votes at 16 Campaign Launch, the Northern Ireland Assembly have again supported giving the vote to 16 and 17 year olds here.

On Tuesday 24th September 2024 four of the 5 main Assembly parties voted to ask the UK Secretary of State to implement Votes at 16 here and also accepted an amendment to ensure that there is robust and comprehensive civic and political education in our schools.


World expert on 'Votes at 16' Dr Jan Eichhorn says 'Nothing bad happens!'
Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern surrounded by school students

Taking action together on the issues that matter to you

PiA builds learning journeys with young people that empower them to take action on the issues that matter to them to achieve social change.

We support young people to explore issues they care about and to take these issue to those in power.

We welcome young people from all backgrounds and identities to join Politics in Action and work together for change.

We exist to create safe spaces for young people in diverse groups to work together on issues they care about, without judgment or pressure, and in ways that are fun and engaging, and which create the change you want to see.

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School Classroom
Services

We are change-makers, co-creators of solutions, reimagining politics, and holding those in power to account

Partnership

We partner with schools and with youth organisations with specialist skills, politicians, and key decision-makers and others so that the young people we work with have the best opportunities to make a difference.

We support young people to take action on the issues that matter to them to achieve social change.

Amplify

You have a voice, together we will help you to amplify it. We value every voice and every perspective to help us develop new solutions working together.

Learning

Success starts with developing the skills and knowledge required to make an impact in the world of politics. We believe that learning should be fun and engaging and based around the things you care about.

Action

At PiA, we are active citizens and, working together, we drive change. We believe young people are citizens now (regardless of age or nationality) and your ideas are needed for us to build better neighbourhoods, a better society, and a better world.

Testimonial

Hear from
our participants

Participant Review

Being part of Politics in Action has been an extremely rewarding experience whether learning new skills or meeting new people, working with such a brilliant team has been an absolute pleasure!

Dermot Hamill
Dermot Hamill
Youth member of our rebrand team
Participant Review

A huge thank you to you and your team for affording our students the opportunity of a lifetime! The entire event (What Peace Means to Me at QUB April 2023) has certainly sent a ripple of excitement through St Joseph's - proud students, proud families and proud teachers!

Rosie Burns
Rosie Burns
Teacher St Joseph's Crossmaglen
Participant Review

'Doing work placement with Politics in Action was such a great experience. From researching lowering the voting age to attending board and staff meetings and getting to talk to members of the board I truly got to see what running a charity organisation is like. So interesting to see all the work Politics in Action has to do behind the scenes to achieve all the greatness they do! Therese, Paul and Catherine all made me feel so welcome and like I was just part of the team. I couldn’t speak highly enough about my experience!'

Sabrina Baptista
Sabrina Baptista
Participant of Poreto for Progression and Young Evaluators
Participant Review

I know the Strathearn pupils were absolutely buzzing on the way home and were delighted to do some ‘celebrity spotting’. For me as a Politics teacher, it’s been great to be able to bring it to life, to have their opinions listened to and for the girls to see the chamber sitting. We’re definitely interested in continuing with the scheme next year!

Laura Carson
Laura Carson
Teacher at Strathearn School, Belfast
Participant Review

Politics in Action has absolutely changed my life, I used to be so quiet and shy and now I feel really empowered to speak up about issues that are important to me.

Chloe Martin
Chloe Martin
Participant of Poreto for Progression, Young Evaluators and the Better Peace Podcast
Events

See us in Action

Partners

Our Partner Schools & Organisations

St Pius Magherafelt
Sperrin Integrated College
St Mary's Grammar School, Magherafelt
SistersIN
UK Youth Parliament NI
Newly High School
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ISTLH
St. Louise's College
SPS
High Newtownhamilton School
St. Joseph's High School
Rathmore
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Shared Education
Ballynahinch
Diverse Youth
SSUNI
BRA
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Endorsements

Endorsements of our work

Stephen Moore
Principal, Friends' School Lisburn
Politics in Action has allowed our pupils to gain experiences they would not otherwise have had, and has challenged them to think. In the context of Shared Education, it has given them invaluable opportunities to engage with other young people and has helped them see the world from a different perspective. I look forward to our continuing involvement in Politics in Action and to hearing what our young people have to say about how they want to shape their futures in Northern Ireland and beyond.
Senator George Mitchell
Former Senator and chair of the 1998 talks that led to the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement
You are the future leaders of Northern Ireland, and I commend you for your interest in working to make a difference for your people. 25 years ago, when I announced we had achieved the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, I described it as an historic achievement, and it clearly was. I also said on that day that the agreement itself did not guarantee peace, prosperity and reconciliation; that future leaders also would have to make difficult decisions. You, the members of Politics in Action, are amongst those leaders. I hope and pray that you will be able to make, or contribute to, a resolution of current disagreements, with the same courage and vision that was demonstrated by the leaders of Northern Ireland in 1998.
Peter Weil
Founder, Politics in Action
It's great to see Politics in Action come of age under fresh leadership. The emphasis is very much on youth voice and one of our most exciting innovations is to see the young people with whom we partner also work with us as evaluators of our projects. When we first launched there were many who believed that if Northern Ireland couldn't make the Executive or Assembly work, there was little likelihood that young people could work harmoniously together on the political challenges we face. Together we've proved the opposite. The next generation of leaders is determined to do things differently and not repeat the mistakes of my generation.
Carol McCann
Former Principal, St. Dominic's College
Politics in Action provided wonderful opportunities for pupils from St Dominic's and Friends' School to come together to discuss and debate the issues which matter to them and to young people everywhere. They were given a unique opportunity to research and plan together to meet with, and challenge politicians both North and South. All of the pupils grew in confidence and developed a multiplicity of skills through the process, which culminated in an event in the Long Gallery at Parliament Buildings when they presented their findings to politicians, educators, representatives of their respective Boards of Governors, and last but not least, their very proud parents. In education, we talk much about Pupil Voice. This experience was Pupil Voice at its very best. Beyond all that they have gained, the pupils involved will have fond memories of this experience forever.
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