EPAS Award Ceremony 2023 held in Dublin

Held in Eurofound HQ, Loughlinstown the event was attended by 6 EPAS schools from Dublin and surrounding counties, including: Coláiste Chiaráin Leixlip, The King’s Hospital School, St. Josephs Rush, Maynooth Community College, Maynooth Post Primary and Presentation College Carlow. Also in attendance was Frances Fitzgerald MEP, Barry Andrews MEP, Executive Director of Eurofound, Ivailo Kalfin and Acting Head of Office at EPLO Dublin, Fionnuala Croker who all congratulated the students on their achievements after another successful year in the EPAS programme.

The students had the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session with our MEPs where some important and thought provoking questions were asked. The topics discussed ranged from women’s rights and diversity in our government to sex education in Ireland and access to mental health services for children and young adults.

Each school then gave a presentation on the activities they engaged in throughout the year as part of the EPAS programme, which included interviewing MEPs, visiting Europe House in Dublin, hosting international EPAS schools, EU quizzes and trips to Strasbourg and Cyprus.

Quotes from MEPs:

Barry Andrews said, “Right now, we are living through history. You have lived through some of the most historic years in the EU such as the Covid-19 pandemic and now the current war in Ukraine. However, democracy is backsliding in Europe. Therefore, we need to try to deepen its roots. What you are doing today is the essence of democracy.”

Frances Fitzgerald said, “I am delighted to present the European Parliament Ambassador School Programme awards for 2023 to students from across the country. Congratulations to everyone involved in the EPAS programme, especially the students who have done so much work to learn more about Europe and have become much better informed about the EU as a result.”

What is EPAS?

The aim of the programme is to raise awareness of European Parliamentary democracy and of European values among 16-18 year olds and in Ireland 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. With the help of their Senior Ambassadors (teachers), students learn about the EU, its Member States, history, values and impact on our daily lives.  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.