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Overview

The Albert Schweitzer Leadership for Life Programme (ASLFL) is a partnership between Foróige and the Ireland Chamber of Commerce USA Foundation Inc. The international youth leadership programme for young people aged 15 to 18, was developed by Foróige. The third annual ASLFL conference took place in the National University of Ireland, Maynooth from 25th to 29th July, with 250 young people from the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, USA, Korea, Palestine, Lithuania, Nigeria and India.

The ASLFL programme empowers young people to embrace their leadership potential and kick-starts their path to becoming life-long leaders in their communities, business or wherever life may take them. The programme is approved by UNESCO and accredited by NUI Galway. During the week long conference participants hear from inspiring speakers, engage in challenging workshops on topics such as communication skills, critical thinking and problem solving and meet likeminded teenagers from all over the world.

Anthony McKenzie, a programme participant from New York summed up his vibrant experience during that week by saying
“ Throughout the conference I learned that we are all here because we all have different views and perspectives but share a common bond. We are all citizens of the world and we accept and share these differences to become better leaders. As soon as I stepped off the plane I was scared but then when I got here, everyone was so nice and I guess it rubbed off on me. When I got here I made a Free Hugs sign and I was giving hugs to people, people I never knew before and I made a lot of friends and life long bonds. I’m going to bring home an ability to think differently, to attack problems differently and most importantly a belief that I can help out programmes and people that are struggling in my community.”

The highlight of the week for the participants in this year’s ASLFL conference was the graduation ceremony which was held at Dublin’s Burlington Hotel. The event was hosted by Matt McCoy, Hollywood actor and Ambassador for the ASLFL programme who said
“ You know, there aren’t many Barack Obama’s or Gandhi’s or Nelson Mandela’s but there is just as much merit in being a leader in your community or being a leader in your school.”

The 4th annual international Albert Schweitzer Leadership for Life Conference takes place in NUI Maynooth from 30th July – 3rd August 2012. Information on how to get involved will be displayed on facebook.com/foroige and also on foroige.ie/youthleadership