Limerick student wins all expenses paid trip in Rotary leadership competition

A LIMERICK secondary school student has been presented with a Rotary youth leadership development certificate. 

Amina Costello, a 16 year old student from Coláiste Chiaráin in Croom, received her certificate from Rotary Ireland District Governor, Michael Fleming, and Fearghas Ó Béara, Head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland.

The competition rewards young people with leadership potential based on their extra-curricular activities, and is run in conjunction with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Dublin. 

The winners enjoy an all-expenses paid week-long trip to Belfast, Dublin and Strasbourg.

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Amina is involved in various youth advocacy bodies such as Foróige’s National Council and its Leadership for Life programme. She is also Irish Youth Delegate for Eurochild, which is the largest network of organisations and individuals working with and for children in Europe.

She is also involved in her school’s ‘Green Schools’ committee and has taken part in the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.

Amina said she has learned a huge amount from entering the competition: “I feel I have gained a better understanding of Northern Irish and EU institutions. Getting to visit the actual institutions where change is made really is incredibly immersive, as you get to have active discussion with those in positions of power.”

“The highlight of the week for me was the Euroscola event, the MEP simulations and visiting the Dáil. It was a real pleasure to meet with so many politically influential figures, such as the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, several TD’s and MLA’s and even an MEP at the Euroscola event.”

For Amina, the cost-of-living crisis and the housing crisis are the most pressing issues facing young people and the ones politicians need to address.

“These issues will escalate if action is not taken to address them. Additionally, the pressures they cause in society can exacerbate other issues. For example, the cost-of-living crisis can act as a catalyst for problems such as climate change, if people are not able to afford more expensive but sustainable products.”

Amina would absolutely recommend the competition to others.

“This programme managed to fit quite a lot in a short duration of time, and anyone with any interest in politics within society I believe would stand to gain by taking part in it,“ she said.