SDLP Youth

SDLP Youth is made up of a collection of young people from various backgrounds right across the island of Ireland, working creatively to ensure the voice of youth is heard in Irish politics.

SDLP Youth plays an active role within the SDLP at all levels of the organisation. It consists of party members aged 30 and under and is entitled to representation on the Party's Ruling Central Executive. Among its members are included councillors and party officers.

It has particularly strong international ties with sister organisations such as JUSOS in Germany through ECOSY and IUSY.

The current Executive Committee was elected at the SDLP Youth Annual Conference on 13th and 14th April held in St Paul's Parish Centre, Falls Road, West Belfast, on the 20th anniversary of the election of Joe Hendron as MP.

 

National Executive Committee Members:

*Chair- Conor McNeill (Lagan Valley)                   

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A twenty-five year old QUB Law graduate from Lisburn, Conor is also former election candidate and also managed Cllr Pat Catney’s campaign during the 2011 Assembly and Local Government Elections. Conor is also passionate about Social Justice, Law Reform, Human Rights, Reconciliation, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. In his spare time, Conor is a voluntary project worker for the Law centre and a keen Lacrosse player.

*Vice-Chair- Maria Quinn (Mid Ulster)     

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Maria is an 18 year old student from Mid-Ulster and was elected Vice-Chair of SDLP Youth in November 2012. In October 2012 Maria was selected to make a presentation at the Áras. Next year Maria will begin training to become a social worker at Queen's University Belfast.

*Secretary- Brian Watters (Newry and Armagh)              

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Brian is currently Secretary of Keady Branch SDLP and also Chairman of Armagh Youth Branch. He aims to create an even more organizationally efficient SDLP Youth. Brian is very interested in the regeneration of his constituency of Newry & Armagh.

*Treasurer- Colm O’Connor (Foyle)

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Colm O’Connor is nineteen years old and originally from Dublin, although he now resides in Derry City. He is a past pupil of St Columb’s College like many other SDLP members such as John Hume, Mark Durkan and Colum Eastwood. He currently studies politics at QUB where he has served as the treasurer for the SDLP branch. Colm is an avid sports fan and follows many teams. His main interests include studying political theory, current affairs, and watching television.

*Campaigns Officer- Kyle Boyd (South Down)                  

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Kyle is a twenty-three year old student from Warrenpoint. He has been a member of the SDLP for five years and has been part of campaigns for a variety of SDLP representatives. He has also served on the SDLP Youth executive for three previous terms. During his time in politics, Kyle has been keenly involved in areas such as higher and further education, taking part in the protests against the raising of student fees.

*Public Relations Officer - Conchur Moore (South Belfast)            

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Conchúr Moore is a 25 Year old International Studies graduate from Belfast. He is former Deputy Chair of the Politics Society at Queen’s and has been a party member for three years. Conchúr worked on Cllr Pat Catney’s Assembly/Lisburn Council campaign in 2011, has extensive experience in the PR industry and the education sector and has a particular interest in European Politics, especially Russia. Conchúr aims to use his skills to promote the SDLP as a young, progressive and vibrant party and utilise social media more effectively. He is particularly involved in Pottinger Ward, South and West Belfast where his family resides.

*Universities and Colleges Officer- Cormac Kerr (Foyle)                             

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Cormac is an eighteen year old QUB student from Derry. He has been involved in the SDLP for two years having spent time working for both former MLA, Mary Bradley, and having been part of the election team for Mark H Durkan MLA during the last assembly election. He has a passion in the areas of Irish unity and international affairs.

*Equality Officer- Rachel Powell (Newry and Armagh)

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Rachel is a  20 year old Politics, Philosophy and Economics Student at QUB. She has been involved in Investment Banking and Economics through internships at UBS and the Bank of England Target 2.0 team. She was  recently  selected to be a member of the Washington Ireland Programme and will intern in Washington for 9 weeks during the summer. She hopes to bring many ideas back to the SDLP youth group and she is  passionate about creating equality and increased political and economic awareness amongst young people. She is a keen sports fan and played Camogie, Gaelic football and Cross-Country for many years at a club, county and All-Ireland level.

*International Secretary- Ruaidhri O'Donnell (Foyle)

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*Policy Officer- Gareth Brown (West Belfast)

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Gareth is a final year student of Philosphy, Politics and Economics at Queens University. He has a keen interest in policy and institutions of government. He is a member of the Andersonstown branch of the SDLP. He was inspired to get involved in politics through his grandfather, Jimmy Fulton. In his spare time, Gareth enjoys singing and amateur music theatre and works for Sport Northern Ireland as a racquet sports development officer.