I was lucky to have been selected by the SDLP to be the North of Ireland representative on a study visit to Pakistan to investigate the relationship between the Western World and the Muslim World, particularly in the wake of the 9/11 and 7/7 bombings. I joined six other young delegates from Labour, Conservative and the Liberal Democrats and set out on the long trip to the Far East.

During our stay we were to participate in five ‘Dialogues’ on different themes in each of the five principal cities in Pakistan. At each of the dialogues we, as a team of seven, would join seven local Pakistani people to discuss issues such as extremism and terrorism, the state of relations between the Muslim world and the West, Clash of Civilisations, democracy and finally the way forward - future relations.

I found each of the dialogues to be very interesting and the issues raised relevant. There seemed to be repetitive issues which were raised in each of the places we visited.

The following are highlights of the issues raised:

* Western Double Standards - support Afghanistan in the 1980’s, now fight them, support elections in Palestine - don’t like results - don’t support them. Like Iran, now do not like Iran. The Pakistani people do not sit easily with these perceived double standards.

* Problems with perceptions. We now sense and perceive the whole Muslim world to be against us and the Pakistani delegates took so much time to tell us that this is simply not the case. They have extremists and terrorists who carry out their actions with-out the consent of the majority.

* Religious differences. The Western Delegation took time to explain our fears of the Sharia law system and particularly its persecution of women, gay people and thieves. We could not understand a system that preached Human Rights but accepted these insufferable punishments as legitimate.

* We had discussions and reached a consensus that our world community has three elements - Westerners, Muslims and terrorists. This was a move on from the notion that we had terrorists (often suggested that they are state sponsored) and they had terrorists (a rogue element including the likes of Bin Laden). The premise that we both have terrorists and what they do should be condemned and not allowed to become the norm or socially acceptable was discussed and agreed by both panels.

* Poverty. The issue of poverty was raised. The fact that so many Pakistan people live in poverty causes problems. The poverty stricken community can become frustrated and turn to more extremist and violent means. An educated people can make more informed decisions and the lack of basic education must also be addressed.

There were many, many other issues discussed in the more than 25 hours of dialogues, and I recommend you visit the website of the organisers which will kept a track of the conference and all the decisions made. It is available on www.pildat.org

Some of the outcomes from the conference included:

* A call on governments to investigate and encourage student and youth exchanges between our countries to allow our young people the opportunity to explore each others cultures and traditions and to share them and remove any prejudicial fears we may have.

* A call on media watch-dogs to ensure that there is balanced reporting to prevent single incidents by small groups of individuals being reported as the viewpoint of an entire religion.

* A call for a UN Commission to explore religious interpretations of the Human Rights charter, and how to prevent this from being permitted.

* A call for continued work to eradicate poverty. To support and endorse the work of movements such as Make Poverty History campaign.

Like the discussions there were many more outcomes from all the dialogues and they can be viewed on the website.

On a deeply personal level I feel I gained a significant amount of confidence. By participating, contributing in debates, giving TV and radio interviews and speaking with the most eminent members of Pakistani life, it created a feeling of self-worth about ones contribution and to have my contributions appreciated by such eminent individuals further developed this sense of self-worth.

The process of the dialogue helped to educate me about the world of the Muslim. I have had limited exposure to the Muslim world or way of life, like most people in the North of Ireland, and when I contributed to dialogues and stated that we must educate our young to assist them to develop an appreciation for each other, my thoughts were being delivered with a sense of realism to me - as I did not know much about the muslin world, I was dubious of Muslim individuals, I had been sucked in by the very media I spent all week complaining about. My involvement has changed my perspective. I met with Muslims and thankfully these meetings challenged the perceptions I held.

I enjoyed getting to see Pakistan. It was pretty much as I expected it, although I was surprised that there was so much wealth. Maybe I was exposed to more of it than the poverty side of their society? I do feel like I missed meeting a whole layer of the Pakistani community and this would be the largest section - the ordinary Pakistani individual. What are their thoughts and views? What do they think about westerners? What do they think about events such as 9/11 or 7/7? What do they think about extremism and terrorism?

Maybe another group should visit and meet with these Pakistanis and gauge their thoughts?

SDLP youth have today welcomed new legislation proposed by the British Government to further strengthen the rights of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Transgender) people in the North of Ireland.

Chairman John O’Doherty said “any move such as this which moves towards ensuring LGBT people are treated as equal citizens is to be welcomed, however it is long overdue.

“LGBT rights are Human rights, and the sooner the people of Ireland wake up to this the better. We all must move into the 21st century and continue working to build a new Ireland where all our people are guaranteed equality, freedom from intimidation and other basic human rights that so many of us take for granted.

“SDLP youth along with many others will be taking to the streets of Belfast this weekend with the aim to support LGBT people within our communities and help stand strong against the injustices within our society.”

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BBC News article

SDLP Youth will be taking part in the ‘Pride March’ on Saturday 5th August in Belfast City Centre.

SDLP Youth Chairman John O’Doherty is keen for as many SDLP members and elected representatives to attend the march.

Belfast Pride March is a colourful carnival parade through Belfast city centre followed by a free party in Writers Square, Donegall Street, later that evening.

Pride Week is about raising awareness of issues relating to gay and lesbian people and increasing their visibility within society.

SDLP Youth have today urged the Government to ensure students benefit from domestic rates exemptions.

SDLP Youth University & Colleges Officer Peter Armstrong said “We welcome the Government’s decision to make students exempt from rates charges. It is fantastic news for cash-strapped students, especially those first year students who will shortly be paying top-up fees.

“However SDLP Youth are concerned that the savings landlords make may not be passed on to the students. A typical landlord will save £1000 to £1500 in domestic rates a year and the extra money needs to be passed onto students through lower rent and better quality housing.”

SDLP Armagh District Councillor Sharon Haughey, who is a member of the alumni of the Washington Ireland Program, has sent a special message of support to a special forum in Washington DC today which is discussing the future of Ireland’s relationship with the United States.

Sharon sent a letter of support to the two graduates David Russell and Martina Callanan who are organising the forum, but she also sent a strong message to US leaders to continue the good relationship between the United States and Ireland by providing a pathway to legality for the undocumented Irish.

In her message, which will be read at the Forum, Cllr Haughey said, “I am highly impressed by the ongoing campaign by Alumni of the Washington Ireland Program ‘What is Ireland?’. This youthful initiative has really highlighted the pride of our homeland that many young Irish men and woman who travel as part of the Programme to Washington DC every year, carry in their hearts. These young people are all in their own ways ambassadors for Ireland and help to build upon the strong bond between
America and Ireland.

“One major issue which faces many of my constituents and indeed many families across Ireland is the issue of the undocumented Irish living and working in the United States. I urge the American politicians
present at this forum to support Senator Ted Kennedy and Senator John McCain who are leading a campaign with the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform seeking status for the many thousands undocumented Irish living and working in the United States.

“The undocumented Irish make a valuable contribution to the way of life in America. Although I fully understand the desire of American politicians to increase their homeland security, and indeed I would not
want to undermine that in anyway. However i urge them to provide a pathway to legality for the very many decent Irish men and women who have set up home in the States.”

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Washington Ireland Program

SDLP Youth members joined volunteers from Labour Youth, Amnesty International and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions at the Oxegen festival in County Kildare.

The Workers Beer Company - Thirst among Equals! - raises money for progressive left and campaigning groups by employing their members at music festivals paying their wages directly to the organisation. In exchange for a 6 hour shift each day our volunteers were free to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the festival, with first class facilities.

The Workers Beer Company has a trade union ethos; a good time and just deal are guaranteed to staff who are looked after with healthy food, hot showers and almost fragrant loos. The perfect way to enjoy the atmosphere of the summer gigs with groups of like-minded people, whilst helping to secure fairer conditions for workers everywhere. SDLP Youth’s wages were split between a donation to development agency Concern Worldwide and funding a migrant rights campaign this autumn.

As Information Stewards our job was to field stupid and sensible questions and to ensure that festival-goers had a safe and enjoyable weekend. On Friday we enjoyed the sun and directed the crowds through the site, even lending a hand to a few first time campers having trouble with their tents. A stunning sunset, still cold beer and funfair highjinks were the perfect warm-up for Oxegen’s finest line up to date.

Rain almost stopped play on Saturday (a month’s worth in 6 hours) and by mid-afternoon there was barely a wellie, waterproof or dry sock left for sale in Punchestown. Innovative use of bin liners and alcohol allowed most people to keep the party going, and it was great to see some of the less well known acts attracting large audiences who took advantage of the shelter at the tented stages. After work we joined the crowds in the main arena and were treated to knock-out performances from bands including the Eels, Manu Chao and Primal Scream. Lucky volunteers working the campsite area were even treated to big screen coverage of the Ulster final.

Sunday’s acts were the highlight of the festival- Divine Comedy, Kaiser Chiefs (alongside regular updates on the world cup final) and Sigur Ros, to name but a few. Headlining, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers didn’t fail to satisfy with old favourites and new at their now almost annual Irish summer gig.

We were welcomed back to the staff campsite with a keg of beer, and managed to squeeze another few hours into the weekend. Had an all too early morning on Monday but we were able to catch up on a couple of hours sleep on the 3 mile drive towards Naas, as 70,000 people tried to head back to normality at the same time. A great weekend and a job well done, we’re already looking forward to next summer’s festivals.

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SDLP Youth Photo Gallery - Oxegen 06

SDLP Youth have today condemned the loss of funding to the rape crisis centre. Chairman John O’Doherty “I find this action completely despicable. £66,000 is such a minimal amount of money to run such a valuable service which is used by people from throughout the North. The rape crisis centre works to give women, alot of who are young and some children, the opportunity to start their life again.

“It is time for the government to get real. Did they honestly think that people would support this? This only further proves that the British government has no interest in the real needs of the people of the North of Ireland. It for this reason and many more like it we need our assembly to drop the childish games and get up and running so once again we can have local people making local decisions as a matter of urgency.”

SDLP youth have today expressed their deep regret at the increase in the number of young people with Sexually Transmitted Infections in the North of Ireland.

Chairman John O’Doherty said, “SDLP youth have been campaigning on sexual health, within a wider young people welfare campaign, for some time and this news just proves that awareness is still low. Young people in the North seem to have ‘it will not happen to me’ syndrome.

“A new culture needs to be introduced in Northern Ireland. A culture of good sexual health, were young people feel free to talk about sexual health and visit sexual health clinics on a regular basis. The longer STI’s go untreated the more the risks increase. I urge all young people throughout the Island to take their health seriously always use a condom and get checked out on a regular basis.”

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NOTES TO EDITOR

It was announced today by the health protection agency that the number of STI’s across the UK have increased with the highest increase in young people 16-24

More details on SDLP Youth campaign on sexual health can be found on www.sdlpyouth.com

SDLP senior spokesperson on children and young people Patricia Lewsley and junior spokesperson John O’Doherty have today welcomed the launch of the NICCY bullying report.

Speaking on the launch Mr O’Doherty, who is Chairman of SDLP Youth said, “This report is very welcome. A lot of good work has been done within schools to tackle the problem of bullying however there is still a lot to be done. The main problem coming out of the report is that there is not enough engagement of young people in drawing up school policies. It is necessary through student councils to be set up within schools to maximise student involvement in the setting up of structures to help battle bullying and to create an ownership of schools. It is important that students, teachers and society in general realise the difference between bullying and friendly banter. What’s funny to one person may be offending to others. Other people’s feelings must be taken into consideration and I believe that students working with teachers can help achieve this.”

Cllr Lewsley MLA also welcomed the report. However she said, “Pupils need to be kept aware of the various ways in which they can report bullying incidents which the report shows us is not being done effectively enough. The issue of bullying needs to be openly discussed and revisited on a regular basis.”