SDLP Youth will this weekend play host to a delegation from Labour Youth activists in the second leg of the Social Democratic Forum, following on from the successful first session in Dublin in April.

SDLP Youth chairperson John O’Doherty said. “ We’re delighted to welcome our Labour Youth comrades to Belfast and to our event at Stormont. We’ve assembled a fascinating panel of speakers and look forward to hearing their views and discussing the issues with Labour Youth.

SDLP Youth already works closely with Labour Youth and our comrades in the European and International coalitions of Socialist Youth. We are very grateful to Co-operation Ireland for giving us this opportunity to strengthen our relationship and to campaign on the issues that will affect us in the future.

“Among our speakers, John Gray of the Linenhall Library has been at the centre of much that has been radical, democratic and centre-left in Belfast and we forward to his contributions.

“Roy Garland is rightly regarded as one of the most articulate, influential and progressive voices in Ulster Unionism, and we feel his is an excellent perspective for our delegates to hear as we look at the future of the peace process.

“Our own Margaret Ritchie, MLA for South Down, has engineered and led the party’s campaign against water charges and has strong views on the benefits of getting rid of Direct Rule and getting our own institutions back again. Alex Attwood has been our champion of Patten and the new policing arrangements and sits on the Policing Board.”

Saturday 22nd October, Stormont

12.30 “The Future of the Left in a new Ireland”
Margaret Ritchie, SDLP MLA for South Down
John Gray (Linenhall Library)
14.00: Tour of Stormont

14.40: “Challenges for the Peace Process”
Alex Attood SDLP MLA - West Belfast
Roy Garland, Ulster Unionists
17.00: Tour of City Hall with Pat Convery, SDLP Deputy Lord Mayor

SDLP Youth have today registered their absolute disgust at websites promoting suicide.

SDLP Youth Chairman John O’Doherty said, “Imagine that you’re lost, depressed, considering suicide. You’re browsing the internet, perhaps in search of support, perhaps looking for information, when you stumble upon a pro-suicide site. Having spent some time researching these sites I was sickened by the content. One site I came across listed 14 suicides as “success stories,” but those could not be verified because of the anonymous screen names used by the people who allegedly died.”

He added “These sites go as far to give tips on how to commit suicide. In addition to the chatrooms, online diarys are available for participants to vent feelings of unhappiness and comment on each other’s suicide plans. Visitors can find advice on funeral arrangements, writing goodbye letters and even how to tie a noose.”

Mr O’Doherty concluded, “SDLP youth members have found this issue so distressing we plan to devote our time and efforts to ridding the internet of this sort of destructive and harmful material. The group also intend to work with suicide groups throughout northern Ireland in order to promote the positive help that is available.”