Unlocking youth potential is focus of Mallow conference

‘CAN’T cope, won’t cope’ writer Stefanie Preissner will be the headline speaker at a conference in Mallow next week aimed at engaging young people in creativity and the arts.

The writer of the hit TV series and popular author who spent much of her life in Mallow will be back next Thursday for the County Cork Creative Ireland Conference which also features film-makers, educationalists and representatives of the Library Service who will speak of services about which young people may be unaware.

Other speakers include Mary McGrath, the organiser of the First Cut Youth Film Festival which focuses on encouraging young people to get involved in movie making, Aine Brosnan, who spearheads the Digital Schools initiative, Education and Training Board representative Ruth Griffin and Justine Foster of the West Cork Arts Centre.

Describing the forthcoming event as a ‘wonderful forum for these discussions’, conference organiser and County Heritage Officer Conor Nelligan said: “. The focus of the Conference this year is on supporting creativity in young people in the understanding that we are never too young to express ourselves and explore every avenue of creativity.”

County Cork Mayor, Cllr Christopher O’Sullivan, who is expected to speak at the event, said youthful creativity and cultural expression were ‘vital for all of us’.

“The focus of the Conference this year is on supporting creativity in young people in the understanding that we are never too young to express ourselves and explore every avenue of creativity,” he said.

Earlier this year Creative Ireland sponsored a day of activities aimed at young people and Cork teenager Sarah Fitzgerald was selected as one of three Cruinniú na nÓg ambassadors. Sarah will speak about her experiences and her hopes for the future at the conference.

It is still possible to attend the event by sending an email to creativeireland@corkcoco.ie.