President Higgins pays tribute to Galway Foróige Leaders

Teenager Maeve Treacy is a member of Barnaderg Foróige Club. She and three other young Foróige members have just been elected onto the Foróige National Council â€â€ the organisation's governing body. This puts them at the heart of key decision making within Ireland's largest youth organisation. As Maeve explains: 'In Foróige, what young people have to say is listened to.  As a member of the National Council, it's my job to represent the views of the 57,000 young people who are involved in the organisation from across the country. It's a big responsibility and I'm very excited about it. I look forward to putting my point across and bringing about change.' Providing the opportunity for young people to really have a worthwhile input is something President Higgins feels strongly about: 'In electing young people to the National Council of Foróige, it is further testimony to your commitment to empowering our young people, providing them with a forum to communicate their needs and ideas, encouraging their participation in shaping their futures, encouraging them to become good citizens, inspirational leaders and mindful mentors.' The Foróige Annual Leaders' conference also heard contributions from Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Westlife Star and Foróige Alumnus, Kian Egan. In addition, inspirational stories were told by young Foróige members and past members from the last six decades. Taoiseach Enda Kenny said: 'I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Foróige on this the organisation's 60th birthday. Since 1952 Foróige has helped countless young people to develop and grow their own abilities and attributes, to think for themselves and to give something back to their respective communities. In very many ways Foróige has been a transforming force in the lives of young people over the past six decades.' [/private]