We four at youth conference

Four young people from Kilkenny formed part of 350 teenagers from around the world who gathered recently in Maynooth, Co. Kildare, for Foróige’s Leadership for Life Youth Conference. e conference, which happened last week on the grounds of NUI Maynooth, brought together young people from the US, Ukraine, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, South Africa and Ireland to learn how to become leaders in their own lives.

has been remarkable in many ways, not least the ease with which businesses and employees alike adjusted their working models.”

He said this had had knock-on implications for commercial property.

“Over time, remote working has enabled employers to adopt hot-desking and rostering systems which reduce the amount of o ce space they need to carry per employee,” he said.

“In the absence of jobs growth, this would subtract from the demand for o ce accommodation. But Ireland is one of the EU’s most service-driven economies and, since the onset of Covid, we have created service-sector jobs at more than twice the average rate in the EU.”

EU takes on greater competency when it comes to public health.

“At present, we have a post code literary in terms of neonatal screening across the 27 member states.

“The test known as an ‘heel prick test’ is simple and cheap to perform, yet many countries, including Ireland do not make the best use of it.

“For example, Ireland tests for nine diseases or genetic disorders. France tests for six yet Spain tests for 24. In many Eastern countries, the numbers are even worse,” the Fianna Fail MEP said.

During the week-long conference the teenagers learned crucial life skills such as empathy, decision making, problem solving, communication skills, critical thinking and team work.

Seán Campbell, CEO of Foróige, said: “ e conference gave young people the chance to not just learn from the speakers and facilitators, but to learn from each other in a fun and safe environment. e week was not only about creating new relationships and learning new skills but about transforming as an individual. I’m continually in awe of what young people can achieve when given the opportunity and it’s weeks like these that give them that opportunity.” e Foróige Leadership for Life Programme was developed in Ireland in 2009 and is open to young adults aged 15-18.

Delegates attending had been nominated by youth workers and volunteer leaders from their own countries because they had demonstrated an innate sense of justice, determination, passion and ability to lead and make positive changes in their own communities. e programme includesd lectures by a host of inspirational speakers, workshops on team building, critical thinking and communication skills and peer discussions on matters of global importance. Young people were also challenged to understand their own values and prejudices., encouraged to go beyond their own personal comfort zones and perceived capabilities to be better than they thought they could be.