Publication
Global Ireland Young Leaders Competition
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
- 1. Background
- 2. Competition
- 3. Format
- 4. How to enter
- 5. Eligibility
- 6. Competition prize
- 7. Rules:
- 8. Permissions
Global Ireland Young Leaders Programme is a competition which encourages Transition Year students to consider Ireland’s role in the world in an independent and creative way. The prize for successful applicants will be an opportunity to view first-hand the work of Ireland’s foreign affairs service through a three-day programme hosted at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin.
Students will gain the opportunity to experience the world of diplomacy and foreign affairs, including learning about the work of international NGOs, peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland, interactive workshops, meetings with Irish Ambassadors, and a visit to an embassy of a partner country.
Students are invited to apply for the Global Ireland Young Leaders Programme through submission of a written or video essay on the competition theme: The Future of Irish Aid .
2024 marks 50 years since the establishment of Irish Aid, the Government’s programme for overseas development. As we now look ahead to the future, we are keen to hear the voices of young people about the future of international cooperation to support a brighter future for people and communities across the world.
Entries must include a written composition of not more than 500 words or a video of no more than 90 seconds .
Entries can be based on any issue linked to the Future of Irish Aid.
Below you can find some examples including:
1) Irish Aid’s Impact: How does Irish Aid make a positive difference in the world? What do you think are the most important parts of its work and why?
2) Sustainable Development Goals: Why are the UN Sustainable Development Goals important and how can young people in Ireland play their part in contributing to their achievement?
3) Helping Globally: How do you think Ireland can help the world reach important goals for things like health, education and reducing poverty?
4) Education for All: Why is education so important in helping countries develop?
5) Youth Engagement: Why should young people be interested in global issues and helping others around the world? How can young people contribute to the goals of Irish Aid?
6) Looking ahead: What do you think are the biggest challenges and opportunities for the world in the future?
7) Working together: Why is it important for countries to work together? What are the big issues that we, collectively, must work together on?
Submissions will be judged by a panel of experts from the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Education and civil society partners of Irish Aid.
In your submission, the judging panel will expect you to be able to express your beliefs and viewpoints in a clear and concise manner while demonstrating creative and critical thinking in your approach.
The following specific criteria will be applied in judging submissions:
• Relevance to the theme
• Originality
• Insights/critical reflection
• Style and presentation
Schools are asked to nominate a maximum of two entries per school . Schools may wish to hold preliminary competitions or select two students to enter.
To enter, the Transition Year coordinator/ relevant teacher should email youngleaders@dfa.ie to submit the application on the students behalf. The email should contain:
a. Student’s full name
b. Full name of the school
c. Name of Transition Year coordinator / relevant teacher
d. Written piece as a Word attachment OR if entering a video submission please request a Sharefile link for the file to be uploaded.
e. Completed consent form attached below
The deadline for submissions is the April 12 . The programme will take place provisionally on the week starting May 13 .
This competition is open to Transition Year students only.
The prize will be a three-day programme offering students the opportunity to experience the work of a diplomat, including learning about the work of international NGOs, peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland, interactive workshops on the work of Irish Aid, meeting with Irish Ambassadors, and a visit to the embassy of another country to Ireland.
Please note that the programme will take place in Dublin. For advice and support with accommodation, please make contact with the Department.
a. The submission must be your own work. If you quote the works of others or of official texts, please remember to reference the source. Borrowing video equipment from your school and recruiting others to help in filming is fine.
b. The judging panel will assess all entries and select successful applicants to take part in the three-day programme at the Department of Foreign Affairs. The decision of the judging panel is final.
c. The Department of Foreign Affairs will have the right to publish or otherwise duplicate any entries to the contest, along with the author’s name.
d. No copyrighted materials (music, images, etc.) may be used for this contest unless you own the copyright or have a license to use the material for this contest. Written permission must be obtained and provided upon request for all copyrighted materials.
e. If chosen as a competition winner, a parental permission form must be signed and submitted along with details of the school’s insurance policy.
