Mayo teens awarded forige leadership certificates at international conference

MORE than 30 teenagers from across Mayo have graduated from a programme that equips them with the skills to be the next generation of leaders.

They were joined by 300 other teenagers from across Ireland, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, India, Denmark and the USA during a graduation ceremony to mark the end of the Foróige Albert Schweitzer Leadership for Life International Youth Conference.

The conference, which took place in NUI Maynooth, brought together teenagers from vastly different cultures and life experiences to share leadership skills.

During the week-long event, the teenagers worked together to break down barriers and learn the skills and attitudes to become strong leaders who have the ambition and courage to change the world around them.

Delegates heard from a number of inspirational speakers, including Ireland’s first Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, Emily Logan. They also took part in interactive workshops on team building, critical thinking and communication skills, plus peer discussions on matters of global importance.

The Albert Schweitzer Leadership for Life Programme was developed in Ireland in 2009 by Foróige in partnership with the Irish Chamber of Commerce - United States of America (ICCUSA). The programme is open to young adults aged from 15 to 18.

Foróige is the leading youth organisation in Ireland. The charity works with more than 54,000 young people and 5,500 adult volunteers annually through a network of more than 600 youth clubs and cafés, 150 targeted projects and national programmes such as citizenship, entrepreneurship and leadership.