Ireland’s leading peacebuilding charity, Co-operation Ireland, is delighted to welcome Belfast entrepreneur Dr Terry Cross OBE as an ambassador on its flagship Future Leaders Programme.

Dr Cross attended a special event on Thursday (May 4) at W5 in Belfast’s Odyssey to be officially announced as an ambassador, joining world leading companies like Deloitte and PWC who have already given their backing to this ambitious programme that has been established to create the next generation of leaders across our islands.

Dr Cross joined almost 200 young people who travelled to Belfast to reflect on the work they have been doing to build up their leadership and communication skills.

The programme offers accredited leadership, communications and political lobbying training to outstanding emerging leaders from across the islands of Ireland and Great Britain.

The core objectives of the CIFL programme are:

Personal Learning: Co-operation Ireland will provide NOCN qualifications to young people, focusing on the themes of leadership, communication and lobbying.

Relationship Building: Co-operation Ireland will connect likeminded emerging leaders from across the island, through a year-long programme of online and in-person courses, workshops and activities.

Community Engagement: Co-operation Ireland will support emerging leaders across the islands of Ireland and Great Britain, to campaign for issues they are passionate about and create change on a local, regional and national level.

Welcoming Dr Cross as an ambassador, Co-operation Ireland CEO Peter Sheridan said:

“We are delighted to welcome Dr Cross OBE to the Future Leaders Programme as an Ambassador. With his long track record of success in business and support of the community there isn’t anyone better placed to inspire the next generation of leaders and I look forward to working with Dr Cross as we develop this wonderful programme.”

Discussing his ambassador role for the Future Leaders Programme Dr Cross OBE said:

“The islands of Ireland and Great Britain have a wealth of talented young people who have the potential to lead and shape the future direction of government, industry, retail, sport, leisure and of course the community and voluntary sectors.  It is important that we invest in them and equip them with the skills they need to excel in what is a competitive environment. I look forward to meeting them and working with them.”