From DCU to DC - Young Irish Leaders head for Washington
18th February 2002

Derek Scanlon, President of DCU Students' Union, today launched the university's membership of the Young Leaders of Washington DC 2002 programme. It was attended by Paddy McDonagh, assistant secretary general in the department of education and science. The programme was set up in 1995 to encourage young Irish students with leadership potential to take up professional internships in the US in establishments such as the White House, CNN, the Northern Ireland Bureau and other congressional offices.

More than 30 successful applicants will travel to Washington this summer for a period of three months where they will work as 'interns', receiving training by their employers in a variety of skills which allow them to develop their full potential as future leaders. The programme has allowed Irish students to work in areas of their personal choice which includes politics, the media, community services, government, IT and law.

Previous 'leaders' have also worked in organisations such as Vietnam Veterans, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, Habitat for Humanity and the Environmental Protection Agency. Here they were encouraged to develop a greater understanding of a range of social issues in the US, which resulted in students bringing their awareness of social and environmental issues back with them to Ireland where they can become involved in equivalent organisations at home.

The focus of the programme is on teamwork, communication, social responsibility and leadership. Students learn to tackle problems with energy, commitment and flexibility, while at the same time take part in community life, and learn different perspectives on the politics and culture of Northern Ireland, Ireland and the US.

Pauline Fee of Queen's University Belfast who is the coordinator of the overall scheme and who herself is a graduate of the programme said that the young leaders experience is possibly one of the best things she did during her time at university. "I worked in an amazing environment surrounded by diplomats, in a beautiful, historical city and made many wonderful new friends. I would recommend the experience to anyone who has the opportunity", she said.

Irish students who are interested in applying for a place on the programme should visit the Young Leaders website: www.youngleaders-usa.org and complete the application form. Further information can be obtained by phoning Derek Scanlon at 7005279.

ENDS

For further information:

Eileen Colgan: 7005656
Derek Scanlon: 7005279