This special one-day conference marks the 40th anniversary of the landmark white paper In Partnership with Youth: The National Youth Policy.
Hosted by the Centre for Youth Research and Development in Maynooth University’s Department of Applied Social Studies, in partnership with the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) and Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), the event will bring together youth work practitioners, policymakers, academics, and advocates to reflect on the legacy of the policy, examine where we are now, and explore the future of youth work in Ireland.
The conference will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, creating space for dialogue, learning, and shared reflection.
The day will conclude with a social event in the evening — an opportunity to continue the conversations in an informal setting and celebrate the contributions of Professor Maurice Devlin and Associate Professor Hilary Tierney, whose work has helped to shape youth work education, research and policy over many years. It will also provide an opportunity to mark the upcoming retirement as NYCI CEO of Mary Cunningham, who has led the organisation since 2002 and directed its work as representative body for the voluntary sector through times that have seen some of the most significant changes and challenges but also most positive developments in the history of Irish youth work.