YANICON – A New Hope
Pop culture and comics are often dismissed as “childish,” yet they provide powerful opportunities for connection, self-expression, and reflection. For many young people, these stories are a lifeline offering relatable heroes, challenging stereotypes, and fostering resilience. YANICON was created to celebrate these passions, build community, and give young people a safe, inclusive space to share what they love.
YouthAction NI – YANI CON (Youth Comic Convention)
YouthAction NI, Belfast
2023
Challenge
Pop culture and comics are often dismissed as “childish,” yet they provide powerful opportunities for connection, self-expression, and reflection. For many young people, these stories are a lifeline offering relatable heroes, challenging stereotypes, and fostering resilience. YANICON was created to celebrate these passions, build community, and give young people a safe, inclusive space to share what they love.
Our Approach
YouthAction hosted the first-ever YANI CON- a youth comic convention designed by and for young people.
A varied programme including cosplay, gaming sessions, quizzes, and pop culture discussions.
Special guest Q&A with patron Ciarán Hinds, who shared insights and answered questions from attendees.
Geek Retreat Bangor delivered Dungeons & Dragons and Pokémon gaming sessions.
A welcoming, inclusive space encouraging conversation and connections among attendees with shared interests.
Impact
60+ young people attended from diverse backgrounds.
Strengthened peer connections through shared passions.
Increased confidence in self-expression through cosplay, gaming, and discussion.
Created a sense of belonging and inclusivity, especially for those who may feel isolated in their interests.
Positive feedback from attendees highlighted variety, inspiration, and community spirit.
Areas of Impact:
“The conversations I had with people that had similar interests were amazing. The old X-Men cartoons peaked my interest.”
“The sense of community was extremely inviting and the variety of activities was great.”
Real Voices
