www.communityvoice.ie - Community stories from Dublin 15

D15 “youth ambassadors” attend US summit

Using technology to come to grips with serious social issues was the challenge that sent three Blanchardstown youths to Boston, Massachusetts recently.

Local teenagers, Edwyn Rooney (16), Simon O’Connor (15) and Michael O’Hanlon (17) travelled to the Intel-sponsored Teen Summit in America after being selected from the ranks of the Foróige Computer Clubhouse in Blanchardstown. As youth ambassadors, they shared ideas, learned new skills and worked together on design projects such as reducing urban violence and improving the environment.

Sponsored by the Intel Foundation, the three were part of a 300-strong assembly that travelled to the States from twenty countries, as far apart as Russia, New Zealand, Jordan, Israel, South Africa, and Brazil. All were chosen by their local Computer Clubhouse coordinators for outstanding leadership skills, technical and creative ability and contributions to the community.

“We had a very difficult job selecting our ambassadors,” explained Clubhouse co-ordinator Gavin Byrne. “Every member was eligible to be considered and we had to decide which of them would best be able to deal with the highly intensive six day programme. Communication skills and community involvement were significant factors in our final decision.”

The three had the opportunity to express their ideas with high-end technologies, such as graphic design, animation, digital art, music, radio and video documentaries and 3-D modelling. While most of the activities were at Northeastern University, the Museum of Science in Boston - the Intel Computer Clubhouse global headquarters - hosted a ‘Clubhouse-to-College and Career Fair’ where the troika explored career options, interacted with local college representatives and met professionals working in a variety of fields, including engineering, publishing, animation, writing, production, programming, and photography.

“The goals of the Teen Summit were to inspire Computer Clubhouse youths not only to build hands-on fluency in technology but also to become self-motivated, confident learners through collaborative experiences that spark their interest, expand life skills, and help them become global citizens,” said Gavin Byrne. “The Clubhouse is about helping young people find their passion and nurture their potential. This year, we challenge them to take it one step farther by focusing their talents on building the future of their communities.”

Since its foundation in 1993, the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network has now grown to over 100 Clubhouses connecting youth in 21 countries across the world. Every two years, youth leaders from these Clubhouses gather in Boston for a global Teen Summit.

In early 2002, Blanchardstown Clubhouse became the first of its kind in Europe, when it was launched by Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern. In the intervening period, over 300 members, ranging in age from 10 to 18 years, have availed of the latest computer based technology in the centre, while the first clubhouse mentor progressed to third-level education in the ITB in the Autumn of 2004.

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