Children’s Health Ireland marks International Youth Day by championing Young Voices in Research and Innovation
Today, on International Youth Day, Children's Health Ireland (CHI) is celebrating the vital contributions of young people in shaping communities and driving progress. Celebrated annually on August 12th across the world, International Youth Day highlights the importance of youth engagement in building a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Aug. 12, 2025
At CHI, the commitment to incorporating the voices of patients, their families and young people generally, is evident in the work of the National Young Persons’ Advisory Group (YPAG). Established in a collaboration between the CHI Clinical Research Centre and In4Kids (the national paediatric clinical trials network) and supported by the Health Research Board, the YPAG brings young people to the forefront of design and decision-making child health research and clinical trials in Ireland.
The group works closely with clinicians and researchers, offering insights and guidance that ensure the direction of research remains relevant, ethical, and youth focused. By engaging directly with young advisors, CHI and its partners are not only fostering meaningful youth participation but also improving the quality and impact of healthcare research nationwide.
“Nothing About Us, Without Us”
Since its launch in August 2024, the National Young Persons’ Advisory Group (YPAG) has rapidly grown into a vibrant group of 38 young members, aged 12 to 18, representing communities from across Ireland. The National YPAG has already held two in-person meetings, one in Dublin in March and another in Cork in July, alongside several online sessions, providing flexible opportunities for members to engage. YPAG members have shown remarkable dedication, offering valuable perspectives, ideas, and lived experiences to a variety of initiatives.
At the most recent meeting in Cork, members actively contributed to the design of a CHI-led initiative focused on improving oral health in children living with epidermolysis bullosa, a rare skin condition. Their input has helped guide the project’s development through a co-design approach that places the views and opinions of young people at the centre of research planning.
By involving young people directly in the research process, CHI and its YPAG-partner In4Kids, are not only empowering the next generation but also ensuring that clinical studies are better aligned with the real-world needs and priorities of patients. The result is more thoughtful, inclusive, and effective healthcare innovation—proof that when young voices are heard, everyone benefits.
To find out more about the YPAG and our activities, click here or email ppi@childrenshealthireland.ie
