Students Inspire The Future for a Brighter Tomorrow.

Students from Deansrath Community College, St Mark’s Community School, and Tallaght Community School gave presentations in Leinster House last week. The event was organized by the Inspiring the Future project under the theme ‘For a Brighter Tomorrow – Youth Voices on the Future of Ireland.’ Students from Inspiring the Future Ireland, which connects schools in South Dublin County with volunteers from the world of work, were in attendance on the day.

The event marked the culmination of a work experience placement in Leinster House that several Inspiring the Future participants took part in. The students concluded their work experience placements with the event by making presentations on their vision for the future of Ireland to politicians and key decision-makers in Government Buildings. Topics covered included mental health through the eyes of the education system, the future of homelessness, and the development of disability awareness.

Lauren McDermott-Smith, program coordinator for Inspiring the Future Ireland (ITFI), said, “Over the past two months, ITFI has had the pleasure of working with these inspiring young people. They have worked so hard, and I have no doubt they will do amazing things in years to come. These fantastic students are advocating to make their community a better place from such a young age and are phenomenal role models for the students that follow them.”

“Each group presented their futuristic solutions to current happenings and what they felt was needed to share a brighter tomorrow. Students from Deansrath Community College presented on homelessness, developing an app to aid in the development of people in vulnerable situations and helping them find support.”

“Students from St. Mark’s Community School presented on the education system and how it affects young people’s mental health, with particular emphasis on the leaving certificate. Finally, students from Tallaght Community School presented on access to and affordability of services for diagnoses of and support for additional needs. There was a fantastic turnout with lots of room for development and discussion, with fantastic local representatives present, including Mayor of South Dublin County Council Emma Murphy, along with many others.”