The 7th Annual Albert Schweitzer Leadership for Life Conference came to an end last weekend and left a deep impression on all attendees. We were joined by 295 young people aged 15 to 18 from Ireland, India, Palestine, USA, Northern Ireland, Saudi Arabia and Denmark.
There was a distinctive theme around human rights and peace-building. We were delighted to welcome Emily Logan, Noeline Blackwell and Ian White as speakers, all of whom are distinguished and respected individuals. Each speaker received a standing ovation and multiple questions from young people.
The winner of our #citizenshipchallenge June prize is Luke Kerrigan (14) in Grange Foróige Club, Co. Sligo. Luke organised a Tractor Run with over 100 tractors, raising €4,245 for a local boy requiring medical treatment for a mitochondrial disease. The phenomenal Foróige member set about organising and advertising the Tractor Run, creating signage, approaching the Gardaí, researching fundraising methods, securing raffle prizes and more. On the day itself, Luke welcomed 109 tractor owners!
There was no dampening of the party atmosphere at the 8th annual Band on the Strand in Lacken, Co. Mayo on Saturday 27th June – despite strong winds and rain. In fact, the inclement weather caused the attending partygoers to resolve to party even harder and give it all that they had! Foróige members from all over Ireland attended the event featuring bands The Academic, Everyday Solution, Deuces Wild and Spin Radio DJ Marty Guilfoyle.
This is the third year of the Blanchardstown World Cup. The aim of the initiative is to encourage fair play and respect in sport. Each participating team represents a country and learns about its people, culture and history. This year, the countries represented are all in Eastern Europe including Poland, Estonia, Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Macedonia, Ukraine, Moldova, Albania and Hungary. Fourteen teams took part from many parts of the country including Monaghan, Roscommon and Dublin, with 120 young people involved overall.
18-year-old Jessy Kalala, a young creative from Foróige’s Computer Clubhouse in Blanchardstown is one of 25 students from 12 countries selected for this years class of Adobe Creativity Scholars. Young filmmakers, social entrepreneurs and artists like Jessy were selected in recognition of their strong academic performance, leadership, global awareness and creativity.
Young people who are members of Foróige’s Reference Panel and members of the HAY Garda Youth Diversion Project visited Google yesterday for a special CV & Interview Workshop! They consulted with Google staff on their CV’s and took part in mock interviews. They also learned about networking and other job seeking skills.
They enjoyed free food, snacks and ice cream as part of their visit. Thanks for Google Ireland for helping us to bring the opportunity to fruition.
