SDLP youth today 26th have launched their new website. Speaking at the launch chairman John O’Doherty said “This is another testament to the changes going on in both the SDLP and SDLP youth. We are updating, re-organising and preparing for the future. This is now the time of the SDLP and especially SDLP Youth. There are more and more issues coming to the fore each day that directly effect young peoples lives and their futures, and we in the SDLP Youth are taking the lead in ensuring that the rights of all people are protected and upheld, and that the best future for everyone is guaranteed.”

“The website will be used to help us bring our campaigns to young people throughout Ireland and to help strengthen the international links we have with other parties. In my two years as Chairman of SDLP youth I have seen membership and activity go from strength to strength. SDLP youth are now actively campaigning on the issues affecting all young people throughout Ireland, the UK and even the World”.

An SDLP Youth delegation traveled to Dublin at the weekend to attend the Easter Rising commemorations. The group from South and West Belfast used the weekend to meet with other political party youth wings and engaged in extensive informal debate.

We have extended an invitation to the north to all the youth groups to continue the debate in a more formal manner on the process of reconciliation.

Before the parade we met with Ogra Fianna Fail members in Dublin. We got an excellent view of the procession from opposite the GPO.

It’s an important part of any nation to be able to celebrate its birth. The parade was a fitting occasion. The one minute silence for all the participants of Easter 1916 adhered to by the 100 000 strong crowd - including members who fought for the British Army AGAINST the rebels and the fallen soldiers at the Battle of the Somme - shows that Ireland is a nation moving towards reconciliation with all the differing faiths and traditions that reside on the island.

Matthew McDermott and I (Peter Armstrong) attended a 1916 Commemorative Banquet at Dublin Castle. We met with An Taoiseach, An Uachtaráin na hÉireann, senior ministers and politicians.

We engaged in cordial conversation with Enda Kenny TD, Leader of Fine Gael, and Labour Deputy Leader Liz McManus TD.

We strive to work closely with the southern democratic parties, working together on cross-border issues and in dealing with northern issues. We were delighted at the great show of support and co-operation coming from all the parties.

We had political discussion with members of the Young Progressive Democrats, and in the evening we met with Labour Youth representatives in Dún Laoghaire.

Our view of the whole day is that the parade was very impressive and extremely inclusive; it had an aspect of reconciliation and centred on the Proclamation of Independence – which in our opinion stands for a united Ireland with inclusivity and social justice for all.

The whole day was excellent. The flute band music and the Air Corps fly-past made the parade more enjoyable.

The Proclamation talks about “religious and civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities to all…citizens”. Our hopes for the future of our country 90 years on seem to be the same as the objectives put forward in 1916. We can achieve a lasting peace, free from sectarianism and religious bigotry, where every resident of this island has these guarantees.

Our thanks to Donal O’Liathain, Chair of Labour Youth, for overseeing the visit and providing excellent hospitality.

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See the photograph gallery:
http://www.sdlpyouth.com/gallery/v/1916/