Louth student makes 'amazing memories' after scooping Rotary Youth Leadership award

Louth second level student Emily Liffey was one of just 20 teenagers from all over the island of Ireland to be presented with a Rotary Youth Leadership Development certificate at the new Europe House in Dublin recently.

The competition, which Rotary Ireland has been running for over 30 years, rewards young people with clear leadership potential based on their extra-curricular activities.

It is run in conjunction with the European Parliament Office in Dublin with the winners enjoying an all-expenses paid week-long trip to Belfast, Dublin and Strasbourg.

Emily, who is a fifth-year student at Dundalk Grammar School, received her certificate from Rotary Ireland District Governor, Seamus Parle, and Fionnuala Croker, Acting Head of Office at the European Parliament Office in Dublin.

The itinerary for the students’ trip included visits to Belfast, Dublin, and Strasbourg.

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In Belfast they received a private tour of City Hall and a meeting with the Lord Mayor, Councillor Micky Murray, followed by a tour of Stormont where they met several politicians and also listened in to some debates from the visitor’s gallery.

At the new European Parliament Offices in Chatham Street, Dublin, they immersed themselves in all things EU related via the new Europa Experience and a 360-degree cinema presentation.

The students heard some very interesting presentations on the EU, and particularly the European Parliament’s role and powers, as well as about traineeships which are available with the EU institutions.

After being presented with their leadership certificates students embarked on tours of the Seanad and Dail where they met several TDs.

After that it was onto Strasbourg where they visited the famous Notre Dame cathedral, enjoyed a private tour of the European Court of Human Rights and paid a visit to Petit France, which was once home to the city’s tanners, millers and fishermen and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

On the penultimate day of their stay, it was off to the European Parliament where they and students from all over Europe were welcomed by Roberta Mestola, President of the European Parliament.

The highlight for the students was taking part in Euroscola, a simulation of the work of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in a debate and vote on the EU’s actions to tackle disinformation.

Emily who is Vice Chair of her school’s Student Council is passionate about languages and has spent time in Granada on a Spanish exchange as well as two months in Coláiste Íde in Kerry to improve her Irish.

Outside of school she is involved in a local youth choir in the Ardee School of Music and likes reading and going to the cinema.

While Belfast and Strasbourg were incredible experiences, for Emily the visits to both Europa House and Dáil Éireann were personal highlights.

“I had never been inside the Dáil or Seanad before so as an Irish citizen to be sitting in those buildings and walking up and down those corridors was fascinating.”

Emily believes that polarisation and extremism are the biggest problem facing today’s generation.

“As we can see in many European countries and worldwide, right-wing parties are gaining increasing popularity and are being voted into government, while key issues like immigration and the environment are being approached in a completely incorrect manner.

"While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, they are not entitled to an alternative set of facts.”

Emily said she would have no hesitation in recommending the competition to fellow students.

“As well as travelling to several cities and institutions, I met and made friends with people from all over Ireland.

"I’ve so many amazing memories from the week. Thank you to Rotary Ireland for all of the incredible work they do.”

Seamus Parle, District Governor of Rotary Ireland praised the students’ passion for learning and their enthusiastic embrace of new experiences.

“While they were naturally nervous when they all met up in Belfast for the first time, their confidence grew in leaps and bounds as they shared new experiences, cultivated new friendships, and improved their communication skills.

“We were so impressed by the wide range of activities they are involved in, the level of knowledge they displayed on various topical issues and their ability to absorb so much information about the different parliaments they visited.

"Emily and the other students are a credit to themselves, their families, their schools and their communities and we are confident that the accomplishments and friendships they have made will stay with them forever as they continue to develop their skills and broaden their horizons.

“I would like to thank all the teachers and Rotarians who helped us along the way to plan and organise this trip and I would urge as many young people as possible from every part of the island to take part in next year’s competition” Mr Parle concluded.

Fionnuala Croker, Acting Head of Office, the European Parliament Office in Dublin said: “This group of exceptionally talented young individuals from all around Ireland have come through a very competitive process to win a place on this study trip, which included a visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

"It was a pleasure to speak to them in Europe House before they set off.

"I was very impressed with how well-informed, how engaged and how curious they are. Since their return I have heard they represented all of Ireland with distinction and contributed meaningfully to a debate with their fellow students on the steps the EU is taking to tackle disinformation.”

The Rotary Youth Leadership Development Competition is open to 16 and 17-year-olds who are living on the island of Ireland.

For more information go to www.rotary.ie