21 September 2000

MINISTER MEETS RETURNING STATESIDE LEADERS

The Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, Dr Sean Farren, today kept a promise made in June, when he met with the students who have recently returned from US work placements, part of the Project Children Young Leaders Programme.

Organised by Queen's University Students' Union which administers the Programme in Ireland, the Minister who had originally addressed the participants before they embarked on their travels in June, met the students over dinner to hear at first hand their experiences.

The Young Leaders Programme, created in 1995, gives young adults a first hand experience of US Government and Culture. This year, internships were offered to over 50 students from eight colleges in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. Placements were in congressional offices, the media and a number of non-governmental organisations and government departments.

Dr Farren said: "The Young Leaders Programme provides an excellent opportunity for learning in partnership in the global economy. I have no doubt that what you have learned will influence, and perhaps change, how you

approach things in the future, and will continue to enrich your lives for some time to come.

"However, the benefits do not rest with you alone. The Young Leaders Programme is about partnership and reciprocity, and just as you have learned from your hosts on the other side of the Atlantic, so they will also have undoubtedly learned from you."

Media Enquiries to: Kevin Mulhern, Press Office, telephone 028 9025 7790 or mobile 07799 711523

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

For further information on the Young Leaders Programme, please contact

Brian Heading, Communications and Development Officer, QUB Students' Union

Tel: 028 90324803 or E-mail: admin@qub-su.org.uk