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This month I was fortunate enough to be chosen to take part in YO! Fest - an event organised by the

European Youth Forum as part of Youth Week 2013. It proved an enriching, educational and most

importantly genuinely fun experience, and one which has improved my thinking on Europe, my

nationality, issues back home as well as the bigger picture on an international scale. As a relatively new

Member of Youth Parliament for a local rural area the opportunity to present myself on an international

level was amazing.

YO! Fest is an annual event organised in order to facilitate networking

and discussion of common youth issues between representatives

of many different international youth organisations. Its not every

day you get to share campaign tips with members of the Icelandic

Youth Council or representatives from Spain, France or Austria.

Hearing about different countries issues and the way they worked

to solve them was genuinely enriching, and not only put some of

NIs issues in perspective for me, but allowed me to think about many things in a new light.

Traveling alone to Brussels itself was a nerve-wracking experience, but I am

happy to report that members of the Belgian public proved helpful and

courteous at every step of the way. The sights upon exiting the metro stationwas of a city of two very mixed parts: classic and depreciating buildings and

breathtaking period architecture collide in spectacular style with skyline

cutting modern office blocks. Its a mishmash, and its wonderful.

Despite some initial worries about accommodation, after being booked

into a totally unsuitable venue, were finally placed in the lovely Hotel

Bloom. Having a safe and comfortable home during the trip made it

easy to enjoy and put effort into the entire event. Sincere thanks to

BYC and everyone else for looking after myself and others

throughout YO! Fest.

The event itself at YO! Fest was comprised of two distinct halves.

During the day, delegates from member organisations from

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countries across Europe took part in workshops, debates and discussion both

formally and informally - all whilst under the impressive profile of the European

Parliament buildings. Topics debated on included important issues such as

investing in youth, lowering the voting age, youth absenteeism, and more. There

were workshops held on austerity, unemployment and more.

I was there to represent the British Youth Council and UK Youth Council on the

issue of votes at 16 - as part of my manifesto issue on improving youthinvolvement in democracy.

I was massively impressed by the breadth of experience and discussion in both

my preparatory meeting and the debate itself. We heard strong arguments both

for and against, as well as some examples of best practice that will prove useful

as campaigns continue in the coming months.

But ultimately the most useful and productive discussions were the ones that took place in between the

events, as we chatted to and made friends with fellow delegates. Sharing our experiences and contacts

and talking about how they have achieved difficulties in their own countries put

some of our own issues in perspective.

That was actually one of the most valuable parts of the event. In Northern

Ireland it can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking that flags and petrol

bombs and the border are the most important things in the world. YO!

Fest helped me realise there is also a bigger picture. I began having real

dialogue on an international level, which was powerful and a welcome

break from what can seem like insular sniping in NI politics. We often have

our eyes too firmly focused on the past, so it was refreshing to talk about the

future as well.

I also attended the launch of the League of Young Voters - a new organisation aimed at

encouraging the young people who DO have the vote to go out and use it - especially in the

upcoming 2014 elections to the European Parliament. The launch was interesting in that a

Hot Air Ballon was launched to tie into the logo! Not something you get to see everyday,

and certainly not when living in a relatively rural NI town - fairly removed form the bustling

opportunities that being located near Belfast or London can provide. I am looking

forward to work with the League to present the same values here in NI.

At night, the European Youth Forum provided two concerts of chart-topping European

artists as well as new emerging talent. I am happy to report that both nights were

excellent fun and a good way to bond further with our fellow attendees.

Speaking of which, everyone I met was lovely, I became friends with an MYP from

Devon - Erin Lynch, met an inspirational young women fighting for female equality -

Pauline and a lovely man from BYC - Andrew. I also made friends with

representatives from Spain, France, Iceland and many more.

I think that one of the more interesting things I got out of the trip was a renewed

sense of pride in my own nationality, and a reinvigorated sense of solidarity with

mainland Europe. The slight differences between even NI and England became

interesting conversation points and we had a bit of a laugh about accents.

So all in all Belgium was an amazing experience and an inspiring springboard for

future projects, and I look forward to continuing work on these issues.

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