Tara Toye, a sixth year student from Deele College in Raphoe, recently spent time in Strasbourg as part of the European Youth Event.
She was part of a nineteen team delegation, who were challenged to ‘create change’ in the world. In this article, Tara gives an account of her time at the international event.
“The European Youth Event (EYE) is the biggest event for young people in all of Europe. This year the EYE brought over 10,000 young people together in Strasbourg to learn more about activism and to share their thoughts and ideas surrounding youth involvement in politics and changemaking, on a local, national and international level.
“I attended the EYE as a delegate from the Organising Bureau of European School Student Unions (OBESSU) through their project European Change Makers Academy (ECMA). Our delegation was composed of 19 young people from Europe, who have experience in change making. We had identified the skills needed and the steps to be taken when creating change and our aim was to share this with other young people, who wanted to become involved in activism, through our activity ‘Next Gen Changemakers’.”
Tara at the European Youth Event in Strasbourg
“I got involved with ECMA through my participation in the Irish Second-level Students’ Union (ISSU). ISSU is the national representative body for students in Ireland. ISSU works to represent, uplift, and defend student voice on a national level, and gives students the space to voice their opinions. Being involved with the ISSU has given me many opportunities, including attending EYE, and has taught me countless skills.
“Being a student activist has been the best decision I could have made, however, like everything, at times it can be overwhelming especially alongside school work. Attending events like EYE and meeting people from all over Europe, with the same interests, and sharing ideas, is the best reward and form of motivation.
“The EYE had activities to interest everyone from being in the shoes of an MEP, to playing soccer blindfolded. We got the chance to explore the European Parliament building and to see Strasbourg city.
“This was honestly such an amazing experience to get the opportunity to see the different ideas from everywhere in Europe! The skills that I learned and the young people from Europe that I got to meet is unlike anything I had expected from this event. The EYE reinforced that young people have opinions, and that we deserve to be heard, respected and seen as equals at the decision making table.”
School principal, Mr Joe Boyle says that Tara’s selection on the European team highlights her activism and her ability to stand up for the rights of others.
“Tara has played an integral part in the life of Deele College over the past six years and she has had such a positive influence on promoting the views of students not just in our school, but students across the country.
“I am delighted that she has been given this opportunity and I know that in the years to come, this experience will be invaluable as she moves through her chosen career path. We at Deele College are immensely proud of what she has achieved and her recognition is well deserved.”