A Portadown student, Ewan McNally is one of just 20 teenagers from all over the island of Ireland who was presented with a Rotary Youth Leadership Development certificate at 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. Run in conjunction with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Dublin, the winners enjoy an all-expenses paid week-long trip to Belfast, Dublin and Strasbourg.
Ewan, who is a Year 13 student at Portadown College, received his certificate from Rotary Ireland District Governor, Michael Fleming, and Fearghas Ó Béara, Head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland.
The itinerary for the students’ trip included visits to Stormont, Dublin, and Strasbourg.
This year The Rotary YL Winners’ Trip differed to other years with everybody meeting on the Monday for registration, welcome and lunch at the Stormont Hotel Belfast. An excellent session was had with parents and family joining before it was time for goodbyes. The group then moved on to Stormont Buildings where Rotary had organised a Tour. The students met several politicians and also listened in on some debates from the visitors’ gallery.
On Tuesday, at the ‘Europa Experience’ visitor centre in Chatham Street, Dublin, they immersed themselves in all things EU related including 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, the students embarked on tours of the Seanad and Dail where they met several Ministers, TDs and senators.
Early the next morning they flew out to Strasbourg where they visited the famous Notre Dame Cathedral and enjoyed a private tour of the European Court of Human Rights.
On the penultimate day of their stay, they went to the European Parliament where they and students from all over Europe were welcomed by Roberta Metsola, 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.
Last year Ewan travelled to Hutchinson in Kansas for a month as part of the Ulster Project, a faith-based programme which aims to foster reconciliation and lasting friendships between teens from NI and Kansas. At school Ewan is a member of his school’s charity committee which organises events and raises vital funds for Lifeline, NI’s free 24/7 crisis response helpline for anyone in distress or despair. He is a keen public speaker, competing in various competitions and is also a member of his local Boy’s Brigade.
He said he entered the competition to learn more about leadership and definitely learnt a lot from it.
“I have learned to critically think about and analyse many issues facing us today. From issues in the European Union, to the environment, to social media and leadership. I have learned to be more inquisitive, to ask more questions and to speak about issues that I feel need to be spoken about. Finally, I have learned that true leadership takes many forms, a voice that brings a team together, a helping hand that encourages someone, so everyone feels heard. Good leaders shape our world, and we will always need them.”
“The highlight of the week for me was the day at the European Parliament. I didn’t know what to expect going into it, but the experience was incredible. We heard from many interesting speakers and debated the EU’s zero pollution endeavour. But what made it such a special day was the people there. I got to talk to young people from countless different countries and cultures… The fact that so many different people can come together to talk about change and making our world a better place was what made the day unforgettable for me.”
And what is the biggest issue facing young people which politicians need to address? “In my opinion, the biggest question facing young people for politicians to address is, how can we be more involved in influencing the decisions made in an ever-changing society, where decisions affect not just adults, but young people too?”
He would highly recommend this competition to anyone. “This competition allowed me to go from someone who didn’t know anything about politics to someone who has a genuine interest in it. It has opened my eyes to how the world works and how we as young people can make a difference. A truly unmissable experience.”
Michael Fleming, District Governor of Rotary Ireland praised the students’ enthusiasm and willingness to engage with the programme.
“I have to compliment Ewan and all of this year’s winners on three counts. Firstly, for the wide range of artistic and community-based activities they are involved in. Secondly for the level of knowledge, they displayed on a wide range of topics, including European affairs. And thirdly for the extremely high standard of their contributions throughout the week of this trip.”
“Ewan and the other students are a credit to themselves, their families, their schools and their communities. It was wonderful to watch this group work and socialise together, and we hope the bonds they formed this week will endure for a long time to come.”
“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 Fleming concluded.
Fearghas Ó Béara Head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland said: “I was delighted to welcome this talented group of young leaders from across the island of Ireland to Europe House in Dublin before they set off on their journey to our Euroscola event at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. These students really made the most of their visit to our interactive ‘Europa Experience’ visitor centre, delving into the wealth of materials on the European Union and striking up lively discussions between themselves, and with our guides, about EU policies and actions.”
“Their level of engagement and enthusiasm is impressive, and I really enjoyed my own exchange with them about Europe as a project of peace and reconciliation, and Ireland’s place in it, especially given the many current geo-political challenges to our freedoms and democracy. I was impressed by how eloquently they expressed their views, and the relevance of their questions.”
“The European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland is delighted to continue our partnership with Rotary Ireland and offer a prize for their Young Leaders competition of a sponsored visit to Strasbourg. I feel confident that our future is in safe hands with such socially engaged and politically curious young people like these winners.”
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
