Ministers promote guide and competition for youth engagement
Ministers Helen McEntee and Thomas Byrne welcomed young people from Citywise Education to Dublin Castle to explore Ireland’s EU Presidency. The visit highlighted a new guide and competition designed to encourage youth participation in EU affairs until 4 December 2026.
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Gov.ie / MerrionStreet
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⏱️ 2 min read
The Ministers for Foreign Affairs and European Affairs, Helen McEntee TD and Thomas Byrne TD, hosted students from Citywise Education at Dublin Castle on 5 November to provide insight into Ireland’s EU Presidency. This event aimed to promote the Young Person's Guide to the Irish EU Presidency and the accompanying EU and Me Competition, which remains open until 4 December 2026.
The students observed proceedings at the Interparliamentary Conference for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy, hosted by the Oireachtas as part of Ireland’s Presidency programme. They then received a behind-the-scenes tour of Dublin Castle, a key location for Ireland’s Presidency activities, including hosting officials and representatives for meetings.
Minister McEntee and Minister Byrne presented the young visitors with copies of the guide and discussed its contents alongside the competition, which invites young people to connect the EU Presidency’s work with their own communities and share ideas for Europe’s future. Citywise Education, based in Tallaght-Jobstown, has developed various EU-focused projects supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, emphasising civic engagement and education. The Department is also collaborating with the Drumcondra Education Support Centre and DCU to align the competition with the national curriculum, with an awards ceremony planned for early 2027 to showcase winning entries.
The students observed proceedings at the Interparliamentary Conference for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy, hosted by the Oireachtas as part of Ireland’s Presidency programme. They then received a behind-the-scenes tour of Dublin Castle, a key location for Ireland’s Presidency activities, including hosting officials and representatives for meetings.
Minister McEntee and Minister Byrne presented the young visitors with copies of the guide and discussed its contents alongside the competition, which invites young people to connect the EU Presidency’s work with their own communities and share ideas for Europe’s future. Citywise Education, based in Tallaght-Jobstown, has developed various EU-focused projects supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, emphasising civic engagement and education. The Department is also collaborating with the Drumcondra Education Support Centre and DCU to align the competition with the national curriculum, with an awards ceremony planned for early 2027 to showcase winning entries.
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