17-year-old LGBTQ+ rights advocate Ruairí Holohan to speak out about mental health in schools during UN General Assembly week in New York

As part of the 2022 United Nations Transforming Education Summit in New York, taking place during the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, Irish teenager Ruairí Holohan is set to help influence the agenda as a youth advocate, with a particular focus on mental health, and the rights of the LGBTQI+ community.

The 17-year-old has been nominated to take part in the UNICEF Youth Advocates Mobilization Lab, joining fellow activists from around the world in championing young people's rights.

On Tuesday, September 20, Ruairí will speak at a special event focused on mental health promotion, response and support in schools and learning environments, taking place in UNICEF House in New York. Organised by UNICEF, WHO, UNESCO and the Government of Thailand, it's been described as "an urgent call to action for world leaders and donors," in an effort to ensure that "every child enjoys the right to education in a learning environment that promotes and protects their mental health and well-being."

During the meeting, which will be live-streamed, Ruairí will share his views on the importance of integrating mental health policies and services in schools. Other speakers include Dévora Kestel, Director of the Mental Health and Substance Use Department at WHO. The Queen of Spain, Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano, is also set to feature.

Ruairí previously took part in UNCIEF’s 2020 Taoiseach Takeover, to ask the Government to ensure the Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) taught in Irish schools included the LGBTQI+ community.

Despite his relatively young age, Ruairí, who came out as gay at 13, has already established himself as a powerful LGBTQI+ activist. He's used his platform to call out the daily threat of violence facing young gay people, as well as the stigma that still pervades society.

He also believes that the education system can have a major impact on preventing discrimination and bullying of LGBTQI+ children. He's called for information on sexual health to be properly delivered by schools, and for students to be educated on STIs, specifically HIV/AIDS.

The Transforming Education Summit is taking place in New York on September 16, 17 and 19, in response to a global crisis in education, in terms of equity, inclusion, quality and relevance. Over the past few years, 90% of the world's children have had their education interrupted by Covid-19 – which is the largest disruption of education systems in history. Convened by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the aim of the summit is to elevate education to "the top of the global political agenda."