The scheme promotes closer ties in Europe

The empty halls of Parliament Buildings were filled with school pupils and youth group members from across the province.

The event was hosted by assembly member Danny Kennedy, chair of the assembly's education committee.

Panelists included Democratic Unionist leader Ian Paisley and Ulster Unionist Jim Nicholson - both members of the European Parliament (MEPs).

They were joined by the SDLP's Alban Maginness, Edwin Poots of the DUP and Sam Porter, a Sinn Fein policy adviser.

The European Parliament places a high priority on including young people in the debate on the Future of Europe and on European citizenship Dermot Scott European Parliament

The debate was chaired by Ed McVeigh, head of the European Commission representation in Northern Ireland.

It focused on enlargement of the European Union, how it should reform and what it meant to be a young European citizen.

'Share opinions'

Participants discussed how to change the EU to accommodate new member states.

The event was one in a series of regional debates across the UK, as part of the Institute for Citizenship's educational project, Speak Out! on European citizenship.

MEP Ian Paisley was among the panelists

It gives young people across Europe the opportunity to share their opinions with each other on the Speak Out! website and is supported by a teacher guide, which can be downloaded from the site.

Zandria Pauncefort, chief executive of the Institute for Citizenship, said: "At a time when it is claimed that participation in politics is declining among young people, it is heartening to see this level of response for the event.

"Speak Out! on European citizenship provides young people with a really important opportunity to have a say, and for some to meet their representatives to discuss issues face to face - it's democracy in action!"

Dermot Scott, director of the UK Office of the European Parliament, said: "The European Parliament places a high priority on including young people in the debate on the Future of Europe and on European citizenship.

"We are giving full support, financial and practical, to this important series of regional discussions."