On World Day of Social Justice hear from Ella Burns, one of our #YouthForHousing delegates from 2024, about how her experience at the Europe Housing Forum made her think differently about social justice.
My name is Ella Burns and I’m currently in my second year of an integrated master’s degree in European planning at Queen’s University Belfast. Last year, I got involved with the Youth for Housing Programme when I was chosen to be a youth delegate for Habitat Ireland at the European Housing Forum.
Participating in the Youth for Housing programme provided me with opportunities to engage with experts, policymakers, and fellow young advocates on issues of housing and social justice, offering insights into the complexities of housing issues and the role people can play in addressing them.
The programme gave me the opportunity to attend the European Housing Forum as a youth delegate for Habitat Ireland which was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that broadened my perspective on European housing challenges and innovative solutions, reinforcing the importance of inclusive development.
Several moments from the forum stood out to me, including the keynote speech on Vienna’s ground-breaking approach to housing, shaped by decades of diligent work and showcasing the collaboration and political commitment required to build sustainable communities. Another highlight was a panel on housing for the Romani community which emphasised the importance of including communities in discussions about decisions that will affect them.
Myself and the other youth delegates were invited to deliver a speech on the importance of youth voices in urban development and interview Rick Hathaway, the vice president of Habitat for Europe and the Middle East. These experiences reflected Habitat’s genuine commitment to include and value youth voices and strengthened my confidence in my advocacy and public speaking skills.
Inspired by the sustainability panels at the forum, I have become more involved in local social justice movements such as Fridays for Future and the RSPB. However, the biggest change was in my perspective on community engagement as the forum showed me that effective housing solutions can only be found when people impacted by policies have a voice in the decision-making process, a realisation that has prompted me to engage more in and advocate for engagement with planning consultations in my local community.
The Youth for Housing programme reaffirmed my belief in the power of youth advocacy and the necessity of engaging diverse voices in policy discussions and I would encourage others to get involved in housing and social justice initiatives- whether through advocacy, volunteering, or raising awareness, every action contributes to meaningful change.
