Press release
Minister Foley visits Kerry schools with Polish Ambassador to Ireland as part of Europe Day 2022 celebrations
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Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Education Norma Foley was today joined by Her Excellency Anna Sochańska, Polish Ambassador to Ireland, on a visit to two Kerry schools as part of Europe Day 2022 and the government’s EU50 programme.
Spa National School and Killorglin Community College in Kerry are part of the Blue Star Programme and the European Parliament Ambassador School (EPAS) Programme which teach pupils about European cultures, the European Union and European parliamentary democracy.
The EU50 programme is marking key milestones in Ireland’s 50 years of EU membership since our decision to join the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1972.
Minister Foley said:
“It important that we reflect and celebrate our European Union membership and encourage engagement across all society on the concept of Europe and its future, particularly among our young people in this 2022 European Year of Youth.
“Together the EU is working collaboratively, to confront our major shared challenges like climate change and of course the European Union’s response to the war on Ukraine. At this time of tragic conflict on the continent of Europe, it is more important than ever, that the Union is united and internally strong.
“I am delighted to be able to visit our schools on this historic day to see the warm welcome that they have provided to the thousands of students who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.”
Ambassador Sochańska said:
“Poland joined the European Union¬ in 2004, when a large majority of the Polish people expressed their will to be part of the European family of nations. Since then public support for EU membership has never diminished. Poland is one of the most supportive EU member states as we know that the EU is the best provider of peace and stability. We hope that in the near future our European family will embrace other countries such as Ukraine, Georgia or Moldova. I am thrilled to meet Irish students together with Minister Norma Foley and to discuss important topics related to the future of Europe.”
Every year, Europe Day commemorates the signing of the 'Schuman Declaration' on 9 May 1950. The Schuman Plan was designed to secure long-term peace in post-war Europe – and is considered the foundation of today’s European Union.
This Europe Day is especially important as it coincides with an important anniversary for Ireland – 50 years tomorrow (10 May) since Ireland voted to join the then European Economic Community, today’s European Union.
The Blue Star Programme requires teachers and primary-school pupils to carry out projects and tasks related to the History, Geography, Culture and Institutions of the EU.
More than 240 primary schools are participating in this year’s programme, meaning that more than 1,000 schools have taken part since it was first launched in 2011.
The programme is managed by European Movement Ireland on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
This is a network of secondary and vocational schools across the EU, raising awareness of European parliamentary democracy and European citizenship values. By taking part in the programme, students will learn about the role of the European Parliament and will get the opportunity to actively engage with their MEPs. They will learn about European values, their rights as EU citizens and will be encouraged to actively participate in EU democratic processes. The programme is suitable for TY students.
The programme is managed in Ireland by the European Parliament Information Office.