yblive, The Last Word

Appreciation: John Dunne of behalf of youngballymun says Thank-You to Sylda Langford on her retirement as Director –General of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

Sylda’s last official engagement was at the evaluation workshop convened by the Centre for Effective Services referenced in the Highlights section of this newsletter. In many respects, the event reflected much of what Sylda stood for not just in recent years with the OMCYA but throughout her career. Sylda was preoccupied not with outputs – what we do – but with outcomes – what we deliver for children and families.

She began her career as a social worker and according to Sylda she became a civil servant almost by accident when she secured an appointment in the Office of the Ombudsman.  Whatever the circumstances her subsequent rise to senior positions in the Departments of Justice and Health left a trail of innovative policies, particularly in the fields of equality and in services for children. She was recognised and respected as an advocate for equality and justice, a promoter of the road less travelled, and as a leader who had the capacity to bring a broad spectrum of interests down that road with her.

youngballymun is conscious of being part of the legacy that Sylda leaves for others to continue as she goes on to explore new pathways of her own. As Chair of the Board of youngballymun I wish to assure Sylda that we are totally committed to deliver on what is now a shared vision of substantive innovation and change in services to children and young people in Ballymun and, ultimately, the whole of Ireland.  I also want on Sylda’s retirement to mark our appreciation to Sylda’s colleagues Liz Canavan and Albert O’Donoghue in the OMCYA for their support and engagement with us in our work.
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