St Columba’s College student wins leadership prize after powerful European Parliament address

St Columba’s College student Chelsea Gallagher was one of just 20 teenagers from all over the island of Ireland to be presented with a Rotary Youth Leadership Development certificate at the new Europe House in Dublin recently.

The competition, which Rotary Ireland has been running for over 30 years, rewards young people with clear leadership potential based on their extra-curricular activities. It is run in conjunction with the European Parliament Office in Dublin with the winners enjoying an all-expenses paid week-long trip to Belfast, Dublin and Strasbourg.

Chelsea, who is a fifth-year student at St Columba’s in Stranorlar received her certificate from Rotary Ireland District Governor, Seamus Parle, and Fionnuala Croker, Acting Head of Office at the European Parliament Office in Dublin.

The itinerary for the students’ trip included visits to Belfast, Dublin, and Strasbourg. In Belfast they received a private tour of City Hall and a meeting with the Lord Mayor, Councillor Micky Murray, followed by a tour of Stormont where they met several politicians and also listened in to some debates from the visitor’s gallery.

At the new European Parliament Offices in Chatham Street, Dublin, they immersed themselves in all things EU related via the new Europa Experience and a 360-degree cinema presentation. The students heard some very interesting presentations on the EU, and particularly the European Parliament’s role and powers, as well as about traineeships which are available with the EU institutions. After being presented with their leadership certificates students embarked on tours of the Seanad and Dail where they met several TDs.

Then it was onto Strasbourg where they visited the famous Notre Dame cathedral, enjoyed a private tour of the European Court of Human Rights and paid a visit to Petit France, which was once home to the city’s tanners, millers and fishermen and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

On the penultimate day of their stay, it was off to the European Parliament where they and students from all over Europe were welcomed by Roberta Mestola, President of the European Parliament. The highlight for the students was taking part in Euroscola, a simulation of the work of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in a debate and vote on the EU’s actions to tackle disinformation.

Chelsea, who is a member of her school’s student council and is a European Young Ambassador as part of her school, was also recently elected as a representative to Donegal Youth Council. She has danced various styles for nearly ten years including hip hop, contemporary and ballet and now teaches the younger students in her dance school every week.

She said the highlight of the week was taking part in a debate at the European Parliament. “It was a once in a lifetime experience and a feeling I will never replicate. Not only did I meet passionate, likeminded people from all over Europe, but being able to stand up in the European Parliament and speak to 800 people on a topical issue was incredible.”

Watch here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1640219843554015

Chelsea believes the rise of social media and with-it misinformation and disinformation are huge issues which if not tackled will have a major detrimental effect on democracy. “Young people are very impressionable and if misinformation is left to spread unchecked this could have a major impact on us all. We can see artificial intelligence is fuelling this, swaying elections and undermining principles we hold dear, such as freedom of opinion, freedom of thought and the protection of democracy.”

“I would definitely recommend this competition to young people in my area. I have learned so much, I have become more confident about public speaking, and I made connections for life. It has shown me that you never know where experiences will lead and that its good to push yourself out of your comfort zone. The main thing is to continue to push yourself, to flourish and to grow. We all have a voice and it’s important that we utilise it.”

Seamus Parle, District Governor of Rotary Ireland praised the students’ passion for learning and their enthusiastic embrace of new experiences.

“While they were naturally nervous when they all met up in Belfast for the first time, their confidence grew in leaps and bounds as they shared new experiences, cultivated new friendships, and improved their communication skills.”

“We were so impressed by the wide range of activities they are involved in, the level of knowledge they displayed on various topical issues and their ability to absorb so much information about the different parliaments they visited. Chelsea and the other students are a credit to themselves, their families, their schools and their communities and we are confident that the accomplishments and friendships they have made will stay with them forever as they continue to develop their skills and broaden their horizons.”

“I would like to thank all the teachers and Rotarians who helped us along the way to plan and organise this trip and I would urge as many young people as possible from every part of the island to take part in next year’s competition” Mr Parle concluded.

Fionnuala Croker, Acting Head of Office, the European Parliament Office in Dublin said; “This group of exceptionally talented young individuals from all around Ireland have come through a very competitive process to win a place on this study trip, which included a visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. It was a pleasure to speak to them in Europe House before they set off. I was very impressed with how well-informed, how engaged and how curious they are. Since their return I have heard they represented all of Ireland with distinction and contributed meaningfully to a debate with their fellow students on the steps the EU is taking to tackle disinformation.”

The Rotary Youth Leadership Development Competition is open to 16 and 17-year-olds who are living on the island of Ireland. For more information go to www.rotary.ie