"IF you want to find out what's affecting children and young people you need to ask them," chief executive of the Children's Rights Alliance Tanya Ward says at the end of a new video promoting children's rights.

It was with this aim in mind that the organisation brought together 23 young people aged between 15 and 18 who made the film in which they themselves appear giving their opinions on the issues that are important to them.

But although the original objective was to make a short film about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, it turned into much more than that. Over the course of the filming process, the young people set up their own Children’s Rights Organisation to advocate on behalf of children.

At the launch of the video in Dublin today some of these teenagers took the opportunity to give their observations and solutions on what they feel will make Ireland a better place.

Jennifer Akandu on educating young people on politics

“We are not being taught about politics. Yes we have CSPE from first to third year but that’s not enough...We should have something after the Junior Cert that would help us know a bit more about politics because at this age we are transitioning from childhood into adulthood. If we’re not taught about rights now and politics when will we be?”

Clara Barry on youth representation

“Youth representation is the most effective way for young people to be heard. We should have input into matters affecting us... It is too often easy to tokenize young people, to shake their hands and say, ‘sure isn’t it great, they’re the future’ and forget that we’re here now... We cannot, will not and should not wait until we’re middle aged to be heard.”

Robyn Gilmour on facilities for young people

“We have very little resources: we’ve grown out of playgrounds and nightclubs and bars are still out of reach. We often get the wrong end of the stick when it comes to ‘loitering’... So now on behalf of young population I am asking you to give us these facilities.”

Elizabeth McBride on stereotypes

“Our generation has been referred to as ‘generation selfie’ by some adults. Our obsession with technology has been heavily criticised only because they fear what they don’t know. Stereotypes like that are lazy and unfair to us. How can we be expected to become responsible when these preconceived ideas are blocking us from that? Sometimes it seems that adults only want to give us responsibility when it suits them.”

Rowena Malee on young people having a voice

“Young people in Ireland are capable, well educated and very opinionated... they just need to be listened to... We are the next generation, the next taxpayers, jobseekers, lawmakers... we should be allowed to have our own opinion and make it heard without raised eyebrows and patronising smiles.”

Courtney McCabe on bullying

“People say it’s important and says ‘something should be done about it’... It stays popular for a few weeks for example if someone commits suicide. Then it disappears. It shouldn’t have to come to the point where someone takes their life for something to be done about it.”

Lauren Moran on the right for children to be listened to

“Children have the right to a voice and to be listened to; they can form their own views and express these views freely in matters that affect them but in my opinion children in our country cannot fully express their views... if there is a referendum about children in any shape or form us children cannot vote... The outcome affects us and we have not had a chance for our voices to be heard.”

Megan O’Byrne on the right to protection from abuse

“The State has a responsibility to protect children from all forms of maltreatment perpetrated by parents or those responsible for their care... I think that a very important step in the right direction would be to ban corporal punishment in Ireland as, unfortunately, it is still legal for parents and legal guardians to physically punish their children.”

Nathan Quirke on child poverty

“Children go hungry in Ireland, are malnourished, and some are even homeless which is shocking... this is a very serious issue and one that I’m very concerned about.”

Aaron Robinson on the importance of youth groups

“I wouldn’t be here today except that I am a member of a youth group called The Group. This goes to show the importance of recreational spaces for young people... Too often teenagers are accused of doing nothing or just causing trouble but if we had somewhere to go... young people wouldn’t be off getting up to no good... Youth clubs are working it would be a shame to lose those valuable resources.”

Jenny Robinson on being listened to

“You need to listen to us, we know our rights. This short film that you have just seen will get around to teenagers and children everywhere who also want their say. The next generation is coming and the topic of children’s rights will always be there... I know that for us standing up here today we will look after our next generation so please, hear our cry for help and listen.”

Tom Simington on bullying

“Bullying today isn’t the same as what you might have experienced as a child. It follows you home: with the advancements which social media have brought us you can always be targeted no matter where or when. We as young people have experienced this cyber-bullying and we know how it can be prevented... we need to empower young people. Student anti-bullying councils in schools can be the bridge to action but there needs to be a dedicated place to go, time of the week and an ambassador to talk to... I hope that we young people are empowered to tackle the most pressing issue for children in Ireland.”

Kirsty Nolan on the recession as it affects young people

“We have problems just like adults, we are affected by the recession... what about affording a school uniform, new school books or even school lunches? Solution? A reasonably priced scheme where every family pays the same amount of money for their school to get the same lunch... secondhand books and secondhand uniforms.”