Derry schools take charge during democracy week

By Alan Healy

The Mayor of Derry and Strabane has received a few helpful tips on his role from local school children who also tried their hand at capturing a portrait of the First Citizen.

The activities were part of Local Democracy Week, a European Campaign which teaches young people how local councils operate.

Earlier this week, the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Maolíosa McHugh, opened the doors of the Guildhall and welcomed children from schools from all over the local district, where they also got the chance to grill local elected representatives over their roles.

The pupils took part number of planned activities including drawing a Portrait of the Mayor, revealing what they would do if ‘I were Mayor for the Day’, engaged in a light-hearted debate and also a tour of the newly refurbished Guildhall.

Commenting, the Mayor Cllr McHugh said that the campaign had also help instil an interest in local politics with the children who took part.

“We have had a fantastic response from our schools this year, and I was honoured to welcome so many young faces to the Guildhall where they had a chance to sit in the Council chamber and find out more about the workings of local government,” he said.

“They certainly put our councillors through their paces, and it was refreshing to hear more about their aspirations for the future of Derry and Strabane.”