Mayo student winner in Rotary youth leadership competition

MAYO second level student Andrew Doherty was one of just 20 teenagers from all over the island of Ireland to be presented with a Rotary Youth Leadership Development certificate at the new Europe House in Dublin.

The competition, which Rotary Ireland has been running for over 30 years, rewards young people with clear leadership potential based on their extra-curricular activities. It is run in conjunction with the European Parliament Office in Dublin with winners enjoying an all-expenses paid week-long trip to Belfast, Dublin and Strasbourg.

Andrew, who is a fifth year student at St. Gerald’s DLS College in Castlebar, received his certificate from Rotary Ireland District Governor Seamus Parle and Fionnuala Croker, acting head of office at the European Parliament Office in Dublin.

The itinerary for the students’ trip included visits to Belfast, Dublin and Strasbourg. In Belfast they received a private tour of City Hall and a meeting with the Lord Mayor, Councillor Micky Murray, followed by a tour of Stormont where they met several politicians and also listened in to some debates from the visitor’s gallery.

At the new European Parliament Offices in Chatham Street, Dublin, they immersed themselves in all things EU related via the new Europa Experience and a 360-degree cinema presentation.

The students heard some very interesting presentations on the EU, and particularly the European Parliament’s role and powers, as well as about traineeships which are available with the EU institutions.

After being presented with their leadership certificates students embarked on tours of the Seanad and Dáil where they met several TDs.

Then it was onto Strasbourg where they visited the famous Notre Dame cathedral, enjoyed a private tour of the European Court of Human Rights and paid a visit to Petit France, which was once home to the city’s tanners, millers and fishermen and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

On the penultimate day of their stay, it was off to the European Parliament where they and students from all over Europe were welcomed by Roberta Mestola, President of the European Parliament. The highlight for the students was taking part in Euroscola, a simulation of the work of MEPs in a debate and vote on the EU’s actions to tackle disinformation.

Andrew, who is on his schools’ student council, is a gaeilgeoir and keen musician, playing with both the ceili band and the grupa cheoil in his local branch of Ceoltas.

He said one of the highlights of the trip for him was visiting Belfast. “I had never been in the North of Ireland before, and I learnt so much from the mix of young people on the trip and also about their local government structure through the visit to City Hall and then Stormont. It was really fascinating to see the different way of life they lead.”

Andrew believes the cost-of-living crisis is the most important question facing young people today and he says politicians must address the issue.

He said he would highly recommend the competition to young people in Mayo. “For starters you get great interview practice, and this will benefit you into the future when applying for jobs. If you are lucky enough to progress, other opportunities come your way.

“Personally, the trip has given me a view of the world through other people’s eyes, both on our island and further afield in the EU. This has really shown me that we are not that different at all, whether its people in the group from the North or young people from elsewhere in Europe.

“On the social side I made great friends on this trip and I think the experience has encouraged me to be more outgoing.”