Maintaining an island-wide network of schools can be a challenge, but it’s something that Co-operation Ireland has excelled at since its inception almost 45 years ago.  The Co-operation Ireland Future Leaders (CIFL) programme is the organisation’s flagship youth leadership programme, which provides accredited leadership, communications and political lobbying training to outstanding emerging leaders from across the islands of Ireland and Great Britain.

On Tuesday 10 January, Co-operation Ireland brought two schools together for a cross-border residential trip: Belfast High School (Newtownabbey, County Antrim) and Nagle Community College (Mahon, County Cork).  Belfast students are currently enrolled in CIFL Leadership Training and Cork students are currently completing the CIFL Sports Leadership course.

It was the first time either school met each other in person, with Belfast High School hosting pupils from Nagle Community College for some sightseeing activities in Belfast.

A key feature of the Co-operation Ireland Future Leaders programme is connecting emerging leaders with industry leaders and professionals, as part of their leadership development.  Gilbert-Ash, a CIFL Programme Ambassador, welcomed the schools to their state-of-the-art Boucher Road headquarters, for a series of leadership workshops, ranging from insights into Surveying & Estimating, to some team-building exercises.

Commenting on the cross-border residential, CIFL Programme Manager Margaret Lucey said,

“At Co-operation Ireland we are committed to building strong relationships across the island and a key part of our work is connecting schools across the island.  We’re delighted to welcome emerging leaders from Belfast High School onto our Future Leaders programme, who are collaborating with the wonderful Nagle Community College.  This residential was a special occasion and the first time the schools met in person.  A huge thanks to our programme ambassadors Gilbert- Ash, who provided some excellent leadership workshops for the students.”

Margaret Lucey, Programme Manager of Co-operation Ireland Future Leaders

A spokesperson for Gilbert-Ash, Maria Bradley, said:

“We are proud to be a programme ambassador of the Co-operation Ireland Future Leaders programme.  At Gilbert-Ash, we believe in collaborating with the wider community to create shared spaces where all can thrive.  This programme provides unique opportunities for students to connect across the island and we were delighted to host students at our head office in Belfast.

Maria Bradley MCIPD, HR Director at Gilbert-Ash