Mayo student represents Irish children at United Nations event in Geneva

A SIXTH year student at St. Colman's College in Claremorris, Mohammad Naeem, who is a member of the OCO Youth Advisory Panel, has just returned from the United Nations Children’s Meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, where he accompanied Dr. Niall Muldoon, the Ombudsman for Children.

Mohammad is a youth activist and his voice has become increasingly prominent in Ireland in recent years. He is involved with many local, regional and national groups, including the Irish Second Level Students’ Union, and he was awarded Mayo’s Young Environmentalist of the Year 2021.

Speaking about his trip, Mohammad said: “It was an amazing experience representing Irish Children at the United Nations Children's Meeting along with the Ombudsman for Children Youth Advisory Panel in Geneva. After months of hard work on our report 'Pieces of Us' we got to voice the concerns and opinions of children across Ireland.

“We spent many months on the consultation process before compiling our report and presenting it to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

“I am absolutely delighted with how the meeting went, the committee members were so engaged with what we had to say. Throughout the experience I met some wonderful people from the UN and Irish NGOs and had some really insightful conversations about how Ireland listens to young people and what changes are needed in years to come.”

He continued: “I would like to say huge thanks to everyone involved, the OCO staff who supported and guided me throughout the whole process. Also, thanks to my principal Mr. Roy Hession and all my teachers who have always supported me with my activism in school.”

School principal Mr. Hession said Mohammad is a really keen activist in a whole range of areas, both in school and at local and national level, and he is committed to encouraging others to speak up, to look for change, to seek improvement and to make the world a better place for everybody, especially those who are marginalised or without a strong voice for whatever reason.

Mohammad finds time to keep on top of his studies to represent his fellow students in organisations such as Comhairle na nOg, Mayo Changemakers, Mindspace Youth, St Vincent de Paul, Green Schools, among others.