This theme of this year’s Summer School will be ‘The Democratic Society,’ as we recall the values espoused by Tom Johnson, the first parliamentary leader of the Labour Party, and the architect of the Democratic Programme of the First Dáil of 1919. We will be engaging speakers on a wide array of topics pertaining to Irish society and the economy, including representatives from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association – The Family Farm Organisation, AsIAm – Ireland’s National Autism Charity, Childminding Ireland – National Childminding Association, SIPTU’s ‘Big Start’ National Committee, and the European Trade Union Confederation. More organisations from a variety of sectors will also be attending, pending final confirmation. 

As members of society, we are charged with social responsibilities, and the primary obligation of organised society, the government, or the state, is to provide employment and a living wage for all. All of the state’s powers should be used for the benefit of the people, more specifically the indebted, those who seek employment, and their dependents. The Labour Party has never wavered in the belief in the right of our people to democratically own, control, and govern Ireland. We, as members of Labour Youth, are custodians of the values of the Democratic Programme, and it is our duty to ensure that they endure for generations to come. Please join us in Dublin City this July for what is sure to be a wonderful weekend!