Leadership for life
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Katie Applebe, Saoirse Barron, Sarah Bernard, Kate Brennan, Alex Broderick, Leah Collins, Kerry Coombes, Seán Cullinane, Ciara Dennehy, Cora Harrington, Emily Hennessy, Sean Hodnett, Aisling Kelleher, Sarah McCarthy, Makayla Mehigan, Aisling Mullane, Michelle Mullane, Donagh O’Connell, Fachtna O’Donovan, Tadhg Óg O’Donovan, Gloria Ojelabi, Cassie Owers, Sarah Leigh Owers, Partick Smiddy, Sarah Sorensen and Doireann Walsh, all from Cork county.250 teenagers from around the world gathered in Maynooth University recently for Foróige’s Leadership for Life Youth Conference. The conference brings together young people to learn the skills and confidence to become leaders in their own lives and communities.
During the week-long conference the teens learn crucial life skills such as empathy, decision making, problem solving, communication skills, critical thinking and team work.
Seán Campbell, CEO of Foróige, said “Leadership for Life is a circuit-breaker programme and can truly be life-changing for young people.
This conference gives them the chance to not just learn from expert speakers and facilitators, but also to develop themselves and grow with each other in a fun and relaxed environment. Year on year I’m amazed by what young people can achieve when given the chance and the support. Every young person deserves to be able to access programmes like this.”
Donagh O’Connel from Dromahane Foróige youth club, spoke to his peers at the closing ceremony stating “Leadership for Life helps you become a better leader, and one of the key things you need for that is confidence, which I didn’t always have. I know now that the shy boy wasn’t the real me. It took a few people to show me who I really am. I want to thank all the volunteers, staff and most importantly friends, for helping bring out the real me!”
As part of the week-long conference, the delegates met inspirational guest speakers including:
Joanne O’Riordan
Joanne is a renowned disability activist, and one of seven living people born with Tetra-amelia syndrome, a disorder characterised by the absence of all four limbs. She was named Young Person of the Year at Ireland's People of the Year Awards 2012 and appears in the 2013 documentary No Limbs No Limits. Joanne is studying law full time.
Cllr Mark Duffy
Mark Duffy is an independent county councillor serving as Mayo’s youngest representative. A former Mayor of Ballina, Mark had the honour of welcoming President Biden during his homecoming visit to the town in front of a 27,000 strong crowd.
Zbyszek Zalinski
As Diversity & Inclusion Lead in RTÉ, Zbyszek Zalinski helps RTÉ better reflect the Ireland of today – among those who make the programmes and support our different services, as well as those who appear on them.
Seán Ronayne
Seán is an ornithologist, wildlife sound recordist, and environmental activist hailing from Cork, Ireland. He holds degrees in Zoology, Marine Biology, and Ecological Impact Assessment from University College Cork (UCC). His documentary Birdsong recently premiered in Irish cinemas and was shown on RTÉ1.
The Foróige Leadership for Life Programme was developed in Ireland in 2009 and is open to young adults aged 15-18.
Delegates attending have been nominated by youth workers and volunteer leaders from their own countries because they have demonstrated an innate sense of justice, determination, passion and ability to lead and make positive changes in their own communities.
The programme includes lectures by a host of inspirational speakers, workshops on team building, critical thinking and communication skills and peer discussions on matters of global importance.
Young people will also be challenged to understand their own values and prejudices.