On a week when many young people got their Leaving Certificate results, fifty students from all over Ireland attended a session of the Skills Academy For Future Leaders at Congress offices in Parnell Square, Dublin. They participated in two work-shops, one on interviewing skills presented by Michelle Thomas, the second session on campaigning skills by Michelle Byrne.
The students, aged between 15 and 18, have been active in their communities and some have interests in areas including social justice, Comhairle na nÓg. student councils and the environment.
The Activists and Representatives from the Irish Second-Level Student's Union, ISSU spent three days attending events in FORSA, Conradh na Gaeilge, Leinster House, Liberty Hall, and Congress.
Bernard Harbour of FORSA gave a presentation on media skills, and students were also taken to the Abbey Theatre to learn ways in which ideas can be expressed and performed.
Groups had forums to debate student activism on climate change, taking solidarity actions, and youth and politics panel discussion. Fiona Dunne of Congress gave students an insight into negotiating skills and surviving the workplace, which was followed by a presentation on the day to day reality of work in careers such as aviation, childcare, apprenticeships, health, media, and nursing.
At Leinster House students had an opportunity to meet TD's, Senators and Councillors from all parties for a panel discussion on education reform.
Fiona Dunne of Congress said, 'the idea behind bringing young student activists together for three days in Dublin is to introduce them to a range of ideas and skills which will be of value to them at schools and in their local community". She thanked all union affiliates who supported the event and the Irish Second-Level Student's Union (ISSU).
