Louth leaders of the future

Four young people from Louth participated in the Foróige Leadership for Life Conference in NUI Maynooth last week. The international youth leadership conference was attended by over 250 young people from across Ireland, the USA, Saudi Arabia and India.

Roisín McArdle, from Dunleer and Kilkerley natives Emmet Kirk, Deane Bourton, Tiarnan McKeown attended and 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.

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 and is open to young adults aged 15-18.