DCU students take part in 'Young Leaders Programme'

Charlene Connolly (left), Ann-Marie Phelan (centre) and Cliona Casserly (right)

Three DCU students will be heading out to Washington on Sunday to take part in the eight-week 'Young Leadership' scheme which is organised by the Washington-Ireland programme. The scheme was set up in 1995 and selects promising third-level students from Northern Ireland and Ireland whom it then trains to serve and work as part of an effective leadership team. Students are placed in offices across the Washington area representing government, businesses and non-profit organisations. In order to enhance their stay in the capital city and to immerse them in the American culture, the students will stay with host families. On their return to Ireland, students are expected to commit themselves to giving service in an area of social concern within their own community.

This year's participants are Charlene Connolly, a second year student on the BA in Journalism, Cliona Casserly a final-year student on the BSc in Analytical Science and Anne-Marie Phelan, a graduate of the BSc in Multimedia.

Charlene has been placed with the Conference of Mayors in Washington where she hopes to gain experience working in the political arena. When Charlene returns to Ireland, she would like to become involved in a cross-border project.

Cliona has been placed in the Vincent T Lombardi Cancer Centre in Washington, which is one of the most prestigious cancer research centres in the US. She will be carrying out experiments in the laboratories there, while also attending leadership training workshops as part of the leadership programme.

Finally, Anne Marie Phelan, a graduate of the BSc in Multimedia, will be working with the Susan Davis International PR company, one of the top public affairs agencies in the United States.

The programme receives substantial support from the Department of Education and from the International Fund for Ireland. To date, over 250 young adults have graduated from the programme and are now working in careers in politics, business, media and education.