Global Youth Summit comes to DCU
26 May 2003

Rod Paige, the United States Secretary of Education, Special Olympics athlete Manwadu Rofhiwa from South Africa and Mrs. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of the Special Olympics

Yesterday, 23 June 2003, The Helix at DCU joined the rest of Ireland in "sharing the feeling" of the 2003 Special Olympics as delegates to the games joined local school children at the Global Youth Summit. The Summit is an ongoing event during the games aimed at allowing children to express what the Special Olympics means to them and to discuss issues of importance to their lives. Joining yesterday's gathering, which will be aired on MTV later in the year, were special guests Rod Paige, the United States Secretary of Education, Mrs. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of the Special Olympics, her son Tim Shriver, Chief Executive of the Special Olympics and her daughter Maria Shriver, NBC News Reporter. In addition, Hollywood came to DCU with Colin Farrell and Samantha Mumba joining the group as well as other actors and musicians. For almost two hours the participants discussed issues surrounding the World Summer Games, being held in Ireland this week, and local school children interacted with special Olympians on a number of issues, including their feelings towards people with disabilities. DCU President Ferdinand von Prondzynski welcomed participants to the campus saying, "DCU is pleased to host this important forum for young people to express their opinions. The University is proud to be one of the many host sites for delegations to the 2003 World Summer Games and we are pleased that the Helix has been chosen as the venue for such a major televised event."