Three Offaly Teens Graduate from Foróige’s International Leadership Programme

Three young people from Offaly have participated in the Foróige Leadership for Life Conference in NUI Maynooth this week (2nd- 6th Aug 2016). The international youth leadership conference was attended by over 250 young people from across Ireland, the USA, Saudi Arabia and India.

As part of the week-long conference, inspirational lectures were given by RTE Broadcaster Joe Duffy, Fitness Guru Pat Divilly and Senator Joan Freeman who founded Pieta House.

Julia Morgan, John Dunican, Shelly Dunica.

The programme also included workshops on team building, critical thinking, communication skills and peer discussions on matters of global importance.

Foróige Chief Executive Seán Campbell said: “Leadership is a singular ability which is vastly important in the modern world and can be learned. It begins with leading oneself.

“Great leadership is grounded in respect and the ability to inspire. These young leaders have been on an amazing journey this week where they have discovered the greatness within themselves and their own unique leadership style.

“This conference gives teenagers from vastly different cultures and backgrounds a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet with one common purpose – the development of our next generation of leaders.”

At the end of the Foróige Leadership for Life Conference, the 250 delegates received certificates of achievement in youth leadership.
The Leadership for Life Programme was developed in 2009 by Foróige 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.