Dutch Ambassador visits Dundalk as students prepare for EU Model Council

The Dutch Ambassador today visited the Dundalk Grammar School and met with the Dundalk students who will represent the Netherlands in the upcoming EU Model Council debate.

Ambassador Maaike van Koldam took part in the school’s annual Culture Day event, which saw students colourfully celebrating the diversity of a school community which includes representatives from more than 50 nationalities.

Ambassador van Koldam visited the school in the company of her Benelux diplomatic counterparts, the Ambassador of Luxembourg, Florence Ensch, the Deputy Ambassador of Luxembourg, André Flammang, and the Deputy Ambassador of Belgium, Katrijn Coppens.

As well as taking part in Culture Day, the Dutch Ambassador met with the three students who will be flying the Dutch flag in the EU Model Council debate in Dublin Castle on March 28th.

The Dundalk Grammar School debate team is being prepared by their Politics teacher, Paul Brady, and Ambassador van Koldam had the opportunity to discuss with them the impact of digital policy on young people, which will be the topic on the big day.

“It was wonderful to have this opportunity to take part in Culture Day, and to meet such enthusiastic students, who are so eager to learn more about the issues facing society, and the crucial role the European Union plays in all our lives.

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“We in the Embassy of the Netherlands are honoured to be represented by these students, and we look forward to cheering them on in-person in Dublin Castle,” Ambassador van Koldam said.

The Headmaster of Dundalk Grammar School, Enda Murphy, praised the efforts of his school’s students in preparing for the visit.

“Our students have been very proactive over the recent years in inviting delegates to Dundalk Grammar School. We are most grateful to the team at the Embassies for their enthusiasm and energy in adding to our vibrant Culture Day,” he said.

Paul Brady, the Politics teacher who is preparing the Dundalk Grammar School team for the upcoming EU Model Council debate, said that the visit was a special moment.

“It greatly added to our celebration of Culture Day to have the Dutch Ambassador and the Luxembourg Ambassador attend along with the Belgian Deputy Ambassador. To have one Embassy represented is wonderful, but to have three is amazing. Our Politics students are really looking forward to representing the Netherlands at the forthcoming EU Model Council Debate on March 28 in Dublin Castle,” he said.

Following on from the school event, the Benelux diplomatic teams visited the Dundalk Chamber for an event aimed at boosting the already strong links between the three Benelux countries and Louth, as well as the wider north-east region.