Kerry’s Seán Kelly joined fellow Ireland South MEPs, Billy Kelleher and Grace O’Sullivan at an awards ceremony for the European Parliament Ambassador School Programme in Cashel, Co Tipperary.
The event marked Europe Day and it gave students an opportunity to meet and greet the MEPs. Students were each awarded with certificates and plaques per school and had their photos taken with the MEPs.
The students had a video address from President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, who thanked them for their participation in the EPAS programme and explained the importance of Europe Day.
Following Metsola’s address, a moment of solidarity with Ukraine was held with the European anthem, Ode to Joy, performed by Cashel-based violinist Nicole Lonergan.
Europe Day, held on May 9, every year celebrates peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historic Schuman declaration that set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between Europe’s nations unthinkable. Schuman’s proposal is considered to be the beginning of what is now the European Union.
The aim of the programme is to raise awareness of European Parliamentary democracy and of European values among 16 to 18-year-olds and, in Ireland, it is particularly suitable for transition year students.
EPAS gives students the opportunity to understand their rights as EU citizens and teaches them how they can become involved in the EU’s democratic processes.
They also participate in a range of activities such as setting up an EU info point in their school, organising a Europe Day event, connecting with their MEPs and linking up with other EPAS schools from across the EU.
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