Laois and Kildare Foróige Regional Conference Report

100 young people attend Foróige Regional Conference hosted in Newbridge

Ten Foróige clubs in Laois and Kildare attended their regional conference on 3^rd of February 2018. The young people were provided with the opportunity to discuss the history of Foróige, opportunities available to them through Foróige and engage in topic discussion. The day was co-facilitated by its membership, volunteers and staff. It is seen as an opportunity for the young people to learn, develop their skills in facilitation and grow in confidence.

The feedback for this year’s conference has been positive with many young people and volunteers expressing that this years has been the best one yet. A positive achievement for the region in showing the continuous efforts to constantly improve opportunities available to young people and encourage more communities to create clubs.

This year Foróige’s Young people discussed the pressing need for further supports services and training for volunteers to help members who may be experiencing a crisis or thoughts of self-harm or suicide. “We would like to engage in organising and attending events which highlight supports and training for our members and volunteers.”

Unique to this conference the young people had the pleasure of welcoming “The Michaels” to Regional Conference, two former members of Macra na Tuaithe (original name of Foróige) in 1956. They shared stories of their time and experience in attending a Foróige club and expressed their feelings on how that experience and friendship has stayed with them to this day. The Michaels had this to say; “Although the activities in which young people engage in have changed over time it is obvious that the core purpose of Foróige regarding the development of youth has continued to remain at the forefront.”

The conference ended with the election of Emma and Aóife from Balyna Foróige onto Reference Panel. They will meet twice a year as the youth representatives of Laois and Kildare. The members will work alongside their peers to be the change in their organisations strategy development and make suggestions that the reference panel members can bring to Foroiges national council.

For more information about Foróige check out www.foroige.ie or if you wish to get involved with Foróige or create a club in your area contact Laois and Kildare Development office Alan Judge alan.judge@foroige.ie 0866384199