Key Service Telephone Numbers
Local Democracy Week
Theme: Supporting Democracy at the Grassroots
We are proud to celebrate European Local Democracy Week 2025 with a special schools’ event. This year’s theme, 'Supporting Democracy at the Grassroots', highlights the importance of involving citizens – especially young people – in shaping decisions that affect their local communities.
Event Format
Chairperson, Councillor Philip Campbell, will host a Dragons’ Den style event where schools are invited to take part, each represented by four students.
- Each group will present a Notice of Motion – a proposal for an issue they would like debated by the Council.
- Students will have three minutes to pitch their idea, followed by a short Q&A with a panel of Councillors - the Dragons, made up of the Chairperson along with members from the Council’s Women’s Working Group and Youth Voice.
- Refreshments will be provided.
This initiative offers students a unique opportunity to experience how Council works, develop their debating skills, and raise the issues that matter most to them.
When?
Date: Friday 17 October 2025
Time: 11am
Venue: Council Boardroom, Downshire Civic Centre, Downpatrick.
Meet Our Finalists
We are delighted to announce each of the schools that will be taking part in our Local Democracy Dragons’ Den event are:
- Blackwater Integrated College, Downpatrick
- Kilkeel High School
- Lecale Trinity Grammar School, Downpatrick
- Newry High School
- Newtownhamilton High School
- Our Lady’s Grammar School, Newry
- Sacred Heart Grammar School, Newry
- Shimna Integrated College, Newcastle
- St Colmcille’s High School, Crossgar
- St Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Newry
- St Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel
- St Malachy’s High School, Castlewellan
Get to Know Your Local Council as part of Local Democracy Week
Do you know the different ways that you can make a difference to your local area?
To find out about how you can have your say in local decision making, you can:
Follow The Council and What We Do
Discover Who Your Local Councillor Is
View the Council Meeting Dates and Minutes
Contact Us
E: democratic.services@nmandd.org
T: 0330 137 4011
