Six Laois teens attend international youth conference

250 teenagers from around the world gather in Maynooth University for Foróige’s Leadership for Life Youth Conference.

The conference, which was launched on July 29, brings together young people to learn the skills and confidence to become leaders in their own lives and communities.

Laois was represented by teenagers Ryan O Farrell, Alex Walsh, Jack Donoghue, Chloe Troy, Robyn O’Connor and Holly Sherian.

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

“Leadership for Life is a circuit-breaker programme and can truly be life-changing for young people," said Seán Campbell, CEO of Foróige.

"This conference gives them the chance to not just learn from expert speakers and facilitators, but also to develop themselves and grow with each other in a fun and relaxed environment.

"Year on year I’m amazed by what young people can achieve when given the chance and the support. Every young person deserves to be able to access programmes like this.”

Pictured: Ryan O Farrell, Alex Walsh, Jack Donoghue, Chloe Troy, Robyn O’Connor and Holly Sherian.

As part of the week-long conference, the delegates met inspirational guest speakers including:

• Joanne O’Riordan: Joanne is a renowned disability activist, and one of seven living people born with Tetra-amelia syndrome, a disorder characterised by the absence of all four limbs. She was named Young Person of the Year at Ireland's People of the Year Awards 2012 and appears in the 2013 documentary No Limbs No Limits. Joanne is now studying law full time. 

• Cllr Mark Duffy: Mark Duffy is an independent county councillor serving as Mayo’s youngest representative. A former Mayor of Ballina, Mark had the honour of welcoming President Biden during his homecoming visit to the town in front of a 27,000 strong crowd.

• Zbyszek Zalinski: As Diversity & Inclusion Lead in RTÉ, Zbyszek Zalinski helps RTÉ better reflect the Ireland of today – among those who make the programmes and support our different services, as well as those who appear on them.

• Seán Ronayne: Seán is an ornithologist, wildlife sound recordist, and environmental activist hailing from Cork, Ireland. He holds degrees in Zoology, Marine Biology, and Ecological Impact Assessment from University College Cork (UCC). His documentary Birdsong recently premiered in Irish cinemas and was shown on RTÉ1.

The Foróige Leadership for Life Programme was developed in Ireland in 2009 and is open to young adults aged 15-18. Delegates attending have been nominated by youth workers and volunteer leaders from their own countries because they have demonstrated an innate sense of justice, determination, passion and ability to lead and make positive changes in their own communities.

The programme includes 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 will also be challenged to understand their own values and prejudices. Participants are encouraged to go beyond their own personal comfort zones and perceived capabilities to be better than they thought they could be.  

Foróige is a leading youth organisation in Ireland. The charity works with over 50,000 young people and 5,500 adult volunteers annually, through a network of more than 500 youth clubs and cafés, 180 targeted projects and national programmes such as Entrepreneurship (NFTE), Health and Wellbeing, Citizenship and Entrepreneurship.