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Madeleine Frissung KDYS, Eimear Horgan, Mairead McGuiness MEP, Barry Sugrue, Aisha Lawal inside the European Parliament Chamber.
KERRY Comhairle na nÓg members, including six from Tralee schools, recently enjoyed a trip to Strasbourg to the EU Parliament.
This year the Kerry Comhairle na nÓg was invited by Sean Kelly MEP to attend the European Youth Event (EYE) which took place in the European Parliament in Strasbourg from 20-21 May. It was a unique opportunity for thousands of young Europeans to make their voices heard.
The students who travelled to the EYE were as follows;
Barry Sugrue – Gaelcholáiste Chiarrai; Eoghan O’Donnell – Gaelcholáiste Chiarrai; Eimear Horgan – St. Joseph’s Presentation Secondary, Castleisland; Collette O’Shea – Coláiste na Sceilge; Atlanta Kennedy – Mercy Mounthawk; Erin Fitzgibbon – Mercy Mounthawk; Aisha Lawal – Presentation Secondary, Tralee; Sinead Leen – Mercy Mounthawk.
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During the event, they exchanged ideas and perspectives on youth-related issues, developed innovative solutions to crucial questions for the future and met with European decision-makers and speakers with a wide range of professional experience.
At the same time the EYE provided an opportunity to experience the rich cultural diversity within the European Union through the staging of various artistic performances and spectacles.
As follow-up, a report with the ideas discussed during the event will be made available to all members of the European Parliament.
“It was a life changing experience and I’d love to go again,” said Aisha Lawal.
“This opportunity opened my eyes to everything that is happening in the world around us and people’s opinions on how we can all make the world a better place,” said Eimear Horgan.
“This experience made me realise that young people in Europe do have a say in the future of Europe and all the important decisions that are being made. The events that we have attended were very informative and help me understand more about the Europe we are living in today. Strasburg city were very welcoming to all the young people of Europe and made it easier for us to settle in,” said Sinead Leen.
“Very informative and enjoyable experience, would go again. An amazing opportunity to make new friends and a difference in the future of Europe” said Collette O’Shea – Colaiste na Sceilge
“Bhí me an bhródúil chun amach go raibh Gaeilge mar teanga príomhúil san Aontais Eoirpach agus bíonn sé in usáid go rialta,” arsa Barra ó Siochrá.
Comhairle na nÓg is one of 31 youth councils in the country, which give children and young people the opportunity to be involved in the development of local services and policies and supported by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
Kerry Comhairle na nÓg is co-ordinated by Kerry County Council and the work programme is managed by the Kerry Diocesan Youth Service.
Barry Sugrue, Erin Fitzgibbon, Collette O’Shea, Eimear Horgan, Atlanta Kennedy, Aisha Lawal, Eoghan O’Donnell, Sinead Leen outside the European Parliament.
Mairead McGuiness MEP addressing European Youth Event participants inside the European Parliament Chamber.
Aisha Lawal, Eoghan O’Donnell, Eimear Horgan, Barry Sugrue, Sinead Leen, Erin Fitzgibbon, Collette O’Shea, Atlanta Kennedy, Madeleine Frissung KDYS outside the European Parliament.
