Young Greens (Ireland)
| Young Greens Óige Ghlas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chairperson | Nadia Reeves Long |
| Secretary | Cillian Fearon |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Headquarters |
16–17 Suffolk Street, Dublin 2, Ireland |
| Ideology |
Green politics Environmentalism Social Progressivism |
| Mother party | Green Party |
| European affiliation | Federation of Young European Greens |
The Young Greens (Irish: Óige Ghlas) is the youth organisation of the Irish Green Party, incorporating the Green Party in Northern Ireland.
History
The Young Greens were formed in March 2002, as a group of students from the four main college campuses, which focused on the environment and social justice. It soon branched out to other college campuses and other themes, like opposition to the Iraq War and support for the Kyoto Protocol and Fairtrade. It campaigns for protection of the environment, human rights and more funding for education. The Young Greens conduct campaigns on a local as well as national level.
Organisation
The Young Greens have over one thousand members in branches on eight university and IT campuses all over the island of Ireland, as well as some local branches to accommodate youths outside of third level education. In 2004 it became associated with the Federation of Young European Greens.
As of February 2009 the official member branches are University College Cork, University College Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin, National University of Ireland, Galway, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, University of Limerick, Queen's University Belfast, Dublin City University and Cavan-Monaghan. The Cavan/Monaghan Young Greens is the only Young Greens group that is not based in a third-level institution. The organisation is currently looking to expand into other parts of the island.
The Young Greens also elect a representative to the Green Party's National Executive Committee (NEC), which is responsible for the administrative and mid to long-term affairs of the party. The current Young Greens representative on the NEC is Nadia Reeves Long.
Third Level Tuition Fees
The Young Greens were strongly involved in the national protests against the proposed re-introduction of third level tuition fees[1][2] and successfully campaigned for a commitment in the Renewed Programme for Government that they would not be reintroduced.[3]