SDLP Youth would like to offer a huge congratulations to Minister Margaret Ritchie on her successful election as SDLP Leader. On February 7th 2010 it was announced that Margaret Ritchie would be the new SDLP Leader.

SDLP Youth endorsed Margaret at a Youth Group meeting very early in her campaign.

SDLP Youth would like to wish Margaret our very best in her leadership and we thoroughly look forward to working with her and Deputy Leader Patsy McGlone.

SDLP Youth will be running a fringe event on the Saturday of the SDLP Annual Conference (Saturday 6^th February) focussing on changing identities in a New Ireland. The Panel consists of Professor Brian Walker QUB, John McCallister MLA UUP and Conall McDevitt MLA SDLP.

Commenting on the event and the future programme of events on this issue that SDLPY will be exploring, SDLPY Chairperson Cllr Matthew McDermott said, ‘It remains the case that politics in the north is changing. People now are living more of a shared future than any time in the past forty years. Young people are now born and growing up without the violence seen in the past.

‘We are working together, living together more, being educated together more, socialising together, sharing and forging friendships together.

‘There is a real sense among our generation that we are further forward than our current politicians, particularly in our ruling parties, the DUP and SF. We are better equipped to deliver a progressive future. Their priorities are not our priorities, as is evident over this past two weeks. They have got their priorities wrong. Ireland is changing, North and South.

SDLP Youth is rolling out a programme of engagement with our young people, and all those who wish to contribute, to identify and understand our priorities in a new Ireland, North and South. We would encourage everyone to join us in defining our new priorities and what politics should mean to us in the future’.

END

Notes:

1)      The first event will be on Saturday 6^th February 2010 in Newcastle, with a panel discussion involving the SDLP and UUP to be followed by a wider Panel Discussion in March, with senior party representatives North and South. This will be followed with an all-party youth forum on the issue of ‘changing priorities’ later in the year.

2)      The purpose of this programme is for young people to identify and define, in different policy areas, their priorities and aims and attempt to set and define the political agenda for the next 30 years in Ireland.

Dear Friend

This is a reminder that the SDLP Youth Annual Conference will take place on Saturday 27th June 2009 at the Wellington Park Hotel in Belfast.

All party members and supporters should have received invites to the Conference, and we are asking that you to confirm your attendance, submit motions, and put forward nominations for Youth Executive as soon as possible by contacting Janine Irvine on 028 9024 7700 or email janine.irvine AT sdlphq.ie.

Since we have been busy electioneering, we have extended the deadline for Submitting motions and Election Nominations to Monday 15th June 2009 5pm.

Election Nominations - The Youth Executive posts available are: Chair, Vice-Chair, Public Relations Officer, Campaigns Officer, Treasurer, Secretary, Universities & Colleges Officer, and International Officer. I would encourage all members to consider running for a position, or suggesting members that you think should run.

Submitting Motions - The motions passed at Youth Conference help us to formulate policy papers and decide our priorities and policies for the coming year. Motions passed at Youth Conference are put forward to Party Conference and in many cases become SDLP party policy.

Regards,

Peter Armstrong

Chair
SDLP Youth

Dear Member,

I am delighted to announce the SDLP Youth Annual Conference will take place on Saturday 27th June from 10am to 6pm at the Wellington Park Hotel in Belfast. All party members are invited to the Conference, and we would ask you to confirm your attendance early.

The conference is an opportunity for SDLP Youth to debate motions, to formulate policy papers and decide our priorities and policies for the coming year.

At the conference, the SDLP Youth Executive for 2009/10 will be elected and we are now inviting members of the party aged 30 and under to nominate themselves to run for the positions. The seven posts available are: Chair, Vice-Chair, Public Relations Officer, Campaigns Officer, Treasurer, Secretary, and Universities & Colleges Officer.

The election will take place between 10am and 1pm at the conference, with counting taking place in the afternoon and the results announced thereafter. The election will be operated using the PR-STV system. To be entitled to vote, you must be a paid-up 2009 party member, aged 30 and under, on 23rd June 2009.

The deadline for nomination to run for election to the Executive is 5pm on 12th June 2009.

The deadline for submitting motions for conference is 5th June 2009.

If you wish to attend conference, run for election, or submit motions please contact Janine Irvine in SDLP HQ on 028 9024 7700 or email janine.irvine AT sdlphq.ie

We would also encourage you to join this event on Facebook.

Regards,

Peter Armstrong
Chair

Katherine McCloskey
Vice-Chair

There has been loads of coverage of SDLP Party Conference 2009.

Mark Durkan’s Speech is covered in the Irish Times and BBC News (video).

In his speech Mark Durkan commended SDLP Youth on our recent cluster-munitions campaign:

We were commended by Amnesty International last spring for seizing the initiative in Westminster on Cluster Munitions. Our motion set out how the British Government was on the wrong side of the negotiations on the draft International Treaty. We called for this to change to achieve an effective ban on these child-killing weapons, whose terrible use negates the ban on landmines. Alongside our Commons initiative, SDLP Youth ran a lively campaign — including a striking YouTube video.

When Gordon Brown did change the British position, the negotiations moved to produce the most significant Disarmament Treaty for a decade. Speaking about this later in the Commons, Gordon Brown commended our campaigning efforts.

Today I want to particularly commend SDLP Youth. While Ogra Shinn Fein glorify atrocities in our country, young SDLP members put their commitment into stopping atrocities in other countries.

The Irish Times also picked up on SDLP Youth motions - the first to abolish the Political Protocol at the University of Ulster - and the second to abolish third-level education fees.

Conference fringe events also get mentions on Slugger O’Toole - including the Miscarriage of Justice fringe event ran by West Belfast SDLP and the SDLP Youth fringe on Obama-style Change in NI, including a video contribution from virtual panelist Mick Fealty (thanks Mick, your contribution was much appreciated).

The Politics Show on Sunday covered Minister Margaret Ritchie’s speech, Alban Maginness’s speech, and they interviewed Mark Durkan. (SDLP conference starts at 32 minutes).

Here is a list of the motions SDLP Youth have submitted to SDLP Party Conference, which is this weekend in the Armagh City Hotel, starting tonight at 7pm.

This is a Party Political Broadcast from the SDLP

Broadcast tonight on UTV (6.25pm) and BBC1 (6.55pm) and 6.24pm here (exclusive!)

SDLP Youth has elected its new executive at the group’s Annual Conference held at the Wellington Park Hotel, Belfast. Conference speakers included Party Leader Mark Durkan MP, Deputy Leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP and Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA.

Speaking after the first meeting of the new SDLP Youth Executive, the newly elected Chair of SDLP Youth, Peter Armstrong, said: “SDLP Youth have held an incredibly successful Annual Conference with guests from charities, youth development organisations and other political youth groups. Youth Conference have passed a large number of motions on issues affecting young people, which we will campaign on over the next year and lobby for at SDLP Party Conference.

“SDLP Youth is now bigger, stronger and more active than ever before. We regularly organise protests, political debates, workshops and other social events across the north. Our members are active in their local SDLP branches and SDLP Youth are active within the Young European Socialist (ECOSY) group allowing our members to attend conferences across Europe.

“At its first meeting, our new Youth Executive have decided on a range of hard-hitting campaigns to draw attention to the problems faced by young people. SDLP Youth are also planning for upcoming recruitment drives at University Fresher’s Fayres and Colleges throughout the north, where we intend to recruit a record number of young people.”

——-
See photos: SDLP Youth Executive


See photos: SDLP Youth Conference

SDLP Leader and Foyle MP Mark Durkan MLA has said the potentials and possibilities of realignment will be the catalyst for change in politics North and South in the 21st Century.

Making the keynote address at the SDLP Youth Conference Mr Durkan told delegates the party’s legacy of keepers of the ideals of civil rights, social democratic values and vision as constitutional republicans will be maintained in the changing political landscape.

He said: “The SDLP was first to recognise that with a settled political process would come both significant challenges and exciting opportunities. We also understand that, if we are to maximise its potential, the possibilities for political realignment in Ireland must involve every party and impact upon every person on this island, North and South. Pivotal as the SDLP is to the debate on realignment; leading that debate as we are; it is vital to appreciate that this debate is bigger and wider than just us or the future direction we will take. It is about the future shape of politics in Ireland in the first half of the 21st century.

“This party was born because our founders had the vision to imagine a new politics in a time of challenge. Now, again in a time of change, we need to show the courage, tenacity and vision to lead the way in unfolding a new political landscape. In ways that will ensure that the SDLP, the values we uphold and the vision we hold out will be at the heart of the democratic life of the nation going forward. And will also create the best conditions to allow all parties to work together in the best interests of the people of this country we love. Delivering that outcome is not just our desire as a political party; it is our duty as patriots.

“It is on that positive, confident and imaginative basis that the SDLP’s All-Ireland Working Group has been exploring the opportunities for new politics.

“The working group has held positive meetings with the main parties in the South – including just this week with Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour. Those exploratory discussions will continue and grow in the time ahead.

“Facilitated by our Deputy Leader, Alasdair McDonnell, the group is also engaging constructively in the North, including with the unionist community. “As we scope out new and wider terrain, it is crucial that we work to reassure people, as well as to persuade them of the potential of our approach.

“We do all this conscious of the great responsibility we have to the SDLP, all that we have been through and everything we have seen through. Because this party – and its members – have stood taller, walked further and reached higher for peace, stability and progress in this country than any other. We would not let anyone else away with misrepresenting that fact; as we discuss and debate our future role in Irish political life, we must not forget it ourselves. Put simply, the SDLP is not up for sale. Our work is not just to promote the prospect of a better Ireland, but to fulfil the promise of a better Ireland.

“So going forward – as we embrace change and explore opportunities in new circumstances – our mission must be to preserve our legacy as keepers of the ideals of civil rights; to protect our values as social democrats; to promote our vision as constitutional republicans; and to put this Social Democratic & Labour Party, all that we stand for, everything we believe in at the heart of the new Ireland.”

SDLP Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has outlined her vision for a Shared Future in the North which she said can help tackle the problems of prejudice, poverty and paramilitarism.

The South Down MLA told the SDLP Youth Conference said a carve-up of power within the Executive was detrimental to the concept of power sharing.

She said: “The honeymoon period here is well and truly over.

“We are seeing increasing stalemate and cynicism from the parties at the centre. We have power-sharing in name but less so in practice. There is a workable formula that locks us together in government but, sadly, not the goodwill and spirit of joint endeavour that should go with it.

“If we are to deliver a Shared Future, we cannot have politicians dividing the spoils selfishly between themselves or allocating resources for narrow political advantage. Our goal must be to work together on a common project in the common good � and nothing less.

“Sinn Fein is happy with equal but separate. Equal but still divided. But the SDLP is not. We have a higher ambition for people. Yes we will continue the drive for equality � but we want reconciliation, mutual respect, sharing and friendship among our divided people.

“My vision is of a shared future where all our people have the same life chances and feel comfortable and safe together - at work, at home and at play.

“To me a shared society is also one where opportunity and indeed wealth is shared. That’s why a major priority must also be to tackle poverty - both by encouraging self sufficiency and by supporting those in real need.

“Of course, the devolved administration does not control all the levers here. Tax and welfare policy is set in London. But through my Department’s programmes � and actions by many other Departments too � the Executive can make a real difference.

“To achieve real social mobility, and deliver real sharing, we have to tackle our physically divided society. Take social housing � probably the most important area that I am responsible for � and my number one priority.

“The reality is that social housing in Northern Ireland is totally segregated. The statistics are stark: 94% of estates are segregated by religion, rising to 97% in Belfast. That is part of the appalling legacy of the Troubles.

“This is unacceptable to anyone who holds to the values of the SDLP and I am determined to make a start on de-segregating housing in Northern Ireland.

“Worse still, estates of different religions are often divided by peace walls. I recognise that these barriers are there because of fear, but I also believe they can reinforce division and deprivation. After all, business-people and investors want stability � and peacelines suggest only barely contained strife.

“I want to see the day when peacelines come down. I know that it won’t be easy � and won’t come quickly. Peacelines will only come down when communities are ready and feel safe.

“Clearly, we have to build affordable and social housing for all who need it, no matter who they are. But it’s difficult in an area where space is so bitterly contested.

“That’s why united action by all politicians across the whole of the North is so important. The new Executive needs to agree on some key principles. That people should be free to live where they want. That people’s identities should be respected and protected.

“And that, above all, our future lies together.

“Then we need to convert those principles into concrete actions. To help resolve our disputes over flags and parades. To see our space not as “ours” our “theirs” but “everybody’s” � and to take action to guarantee this.

“One of the challenges that face us as we set out to do this is continued paramilitarism. Nothing has been more responsible for driving communities apart than the actions of paramilitaries.

“I want to enable people to live normal lives; to free up communities so businessmen and women can create jobs without fear of extortion; to provide better role models for young people in loyalist communities than paramilitaries.

“And I can assure you that as far as I am concerned, the days of appeasing and cow-towing to the hard men and gatekeepers are over.

“With devolution, despite its imperfections, now up and running, we have in place the political architecture to enable us to tackle our problems � poverty, prejudice, paramilitarism.

“We have the chance to deliver change. To forge a new future of peace, prosperity and partnership. It will take time � perhaps decades.

“But we have been here before: Forty years ago we started the struggle against discrimination and denial of civil rights in jobs, housing voting and many other areas.

“We have been hugely successful but there is still much work to be done.

“But for me, the main challenge for our party now is to build the Shared Future � and overcome the nay-sayers at the centre of government today. And it is work we are well placed to do.

“Building a Shared Future in the North and on the island is, I believe, uniquely our destiny.”