“I have always strongly believed age should never be a barrier to what you want to do in life.
“Since a very young age, I have had an interest in politics and making a difference in the world around me. I was 16 and attending St Brendan’s College in Bray, Co Wicklow, when I applied to be on the advisory board at the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO).
“At the time I was frustrated and felt efforts to include young people in decisions that affected them had been tokenistic.However, I was quite taken aback with the reception I received when I met the people involved with the OCO. They were genuinely looking to engage with young people.
“I became part of a panel of young advisers with a diverse range of backgrounds from 2007 to 2009 and had the opportunity to work in the biggest project, The Big Ballot.
"It was the largest ever nationwide consultation of young people and while it contributed towards the Constitutional amendment of children's rights, it was far more significant in that it successfully placed children and
young people at the heart of the decision-making process on issues that directly affected them.
“I remember being in RTÉ doing an interview on behalf of the office and I was overwhelmed with the trust they had in me. It is hard to measure the impact that experience had on me but it shaped me as a person and how I viewed things. If you care about something then be a champion for it.
“Following my involvement with the OCO, I worked in Washington DC as part of the Washington Ireland Program in 2012.
“I then received a George Mitchell Scholarship to study for a year at the University of Maine where I worked for the leadership of the Maine Senate. The following year, I returned to DC to work in government affairs for a Fortune 500 company.
“I am looking forward to going back to Washington for a third summer this year.
“I am now 22 years old and completing my final year of my degree in government and public policy at University College Cork, and about to start a graduate programme in management consultancy.
“I also work for a company which helps to expand business ties between Irish companies, the US and emerging markets.
“Over the two years I was involved with the OCO, I was amazed at the genuine passion and enthusiasm of Emily in the way she engaged with us and how she conducted herself when dealing with young people and legislators.
“The very nature of Emily’s work that she is independent of the Government is so important.
“It is all well and good to say young people are the leaders of tomorrow but what about making them the leaders of today?
“For any young person out there thinking of getting involved in the OCO I advise them to really give it their all and embrace the nature of such a fantastic opportunity.
“The OCO makes a difference and has done an incredible job to give young people a legitimate voice.The group works as a champion for the rights of young people and anyone with the chance to be a part of that should do all they can do be the best ambassadors they can be for young people around Ireland.”
In conversation with Rachel Flaherty
