Mayo teens at international youth leadership conference

THIRTY-SEVEN teens from Mayo haveattended Foróige's Leadership for Life International Youth Conference in Kildare this week.

The conference brought together 250 teenagers from India, the USA and Ireland to learn how to become leaders in their own lives.

During the week-long conference the teens learn crucial life skills such as empathy, decision making, communication skills, critical thinking and team-work.

Seán Campbell, CEO of Foróige, said: “The Leadership for Life programme enhances the vision, passion and idealism of young people by teaching them key leadership skills and challenging them to use these skills practically. 

“Through challenging young people to explore their own values, and express themselves in ways they may not be used to, they develop skills such as problem solving, critical thinking and empathy. This skills are crucial in all walks of life.â€

The 250 delegates, aged 15 to 18, will graduate tomorrow (Friday) morning having completed various stages of the leadership programme.

As part of the week-long conference, the delegates met inspirational guest speakers, including: Dil Wickremasinghe, Social Justice and Mental Health Broadcaster, Journalist, Activist & Social Entrepreneur; Sinead Kane, first blind person worldwide to run 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days and Ireland's first legally blind solicitor; MEP Mairead McGuinness, the First Vice-President of the European Parliament; and Adam Harris, founder AsIAm a community organisation supporting people with Autism and their families.

The Mayo delegates pictured are, at front, from left: Emma Doherty, Sarah Geraghty, Katie Newbigging, Rachel Fallon, Sarah McDonald, David Friel, Niamh McHugh, Karina Tropman, Sean Murphy, Edward Tyson, Jasmin Glavey, Alannah Flynnand Lisa Henry. Second row: Amanda Coleman, Cian Macken, Sinead Guinnelly, Eimhin Conboy, Darragh Jordan, Jane Quinn, Elizabeth McGinn, Rebecca Kelly, Sean Gleeson, Laura Corcoran, Sarah Loftus, Emma Fallon and Alannah Nolan. Third row: Aoife Conway, Kellie Knox, Daria Usinska, Niamh Langan, Joshua Boles, Brian Orme, Tommie Loftus, Emmet Geraghty, Sarah Toner, Chloe Lambe-Moore and Chloe O'Grady.