Foróige welcomed into Oireachtas for digital youth showcase

MAYO Minister Dara Calleary has met with young people, volunteers and staff members from Foróige who were welcomed into the Oireachtas this week for a digital youth showcase.

The showcase focussed on how we can mitigate the risks associated with digital technologies and social media platforms, while empowering young people to use technology to their advantage safely and securely.

Members of both Houses of the Oireachtas engaged with young people from around the country who demonstrated youth work in virtual reality, coding, robotics, engineering, artificial intelligence and much more.

Foróige is committed to supporting young people to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to navigate the digital world safely, responsibly, nd creatively, and contribute to thriving communities online and offline. To this end Foróige is launching a new digital youth brand called Foróige Go - Digital skills for what's now and next - which was displayed at the showcase.

As part of the showcase members of the Oireachtas used virtual reality headsets to join a Foróige club taking place in the virtual world and spoke directly with young people in north Donegal, west Cork and Arranmore Island. Alongside VR, young people introduced TDs and Senators to a variety of digital innovations, from podcasts created using cutting-edge audio technology to products designed and manufactured using 3D printing technologies.

Creative learning technologies were also on display like using artificial intelligence for good and the many ways online safety and resilience underpins Foróige approach to digital youth work.

Ceann Comhairle, Mr. Seán Ó Fearghaíl, addressed the young people and staff members at the event, stating: “There is no doubt that technology is somewhat of a double-edged sword, with so many opportunities and so many challenges. The young people here today will show us all the future of the digital world and instil in us the confidence to embrace it.”

Anna Finnegan, a participant in the Foróige GoSafely programme, aged 16, spoke from a youth perspective on navigating the digital world safely: “I suppose you could say that I started on the internet young, around six years old, and since then I have seen the advantages and disadvantages. That’s why I feel so passionate about this GoSafely programme. My peers are crying out for open conversations and a clear toolkit to navigate through it.”