REMARKS BY PRESIDENT, MARY McALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF HER VISIT TO SLIGO YOUTH RESOURCE CENTRE
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT, MARY McALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF HER VISIT TO SLIGO YOUTH RESOURCE CENTRE / SLIGO YOUNG ENTERPRISES LTD.
Firstly, let me say how happy I am to be visiting you today – and to have the opportunity to see at first hand – a truly unique centre for young people – a facility which is breaking new ground in Ireland – and one which has become a role model for many communities who are faced with the task of meeting the needs of young people – in training, education and recreation – and giving them opportunities to participate more fully in modern society – a society where it can be all too easy to be left behind.
Like a lot of recent developments – the Sligo Youth Resource Centre has its origins in an old and unused facility – a facility that had outlived its usefulness in the modern world – and had gone past its use-by date. That old “Boys Club” premises was to be the foundation for this new Centre – catering to the needs of today’s youth – needs that are growing more complex and complicated with the fast pace of change – and with the increasing sophistication of industry - that has made it possible for us to be a part of the modern commercial world. The Centre has been the realisation of a dream – and a great deal of hard work – by people who care for and who are committed to the needs of Sligo’s young people. I particularly want to recognise the great work of those involved in the realisation of this dream – and who are working to fulfil the vision of a completed Centre.
Realising that vision has meant enlisting the support of people who can help with finance – and who can “facilitate” its development. I want to pay tribute to the many organisations that have joined in this unique partnership – people like FÁS – who are central to the current work on Phase Three of the project – the construction of the new recreational area – and others like the North Western Health Board – Intereg – the International Fund for Ireland – the Diocese of Elphin – People in Need – the National Lottery – and the Programme for Peace and Reconciliation. All of these names appear again and again in the many projects that are transforming communities throughout Ireland – in the partnerships that have been established by committed and dedicated people who know what their own community needs – and have the confidence and spirit to seek help and support wherever they can.
To those who have participated in the projects at Sligo young Enterprises – in the Community Training Workshop – I want to offer my congratulations on your decision to grasp the opportunity – to open or re-open the door to education and training that will give you the chance to realise your own ability and talent – to catch up with developments in industry and commerce – and to seek further education or employment. In doing so you have vindicated those who have had faith in you – and you have given the lead to others who can see what a new opportunity like this can mean in their lives.
Education is not always about diplomas, degrees or certificates. You will all have come from different backgrounds – and will have had different influences in your lives. Some of you may have found yourselves out of mainstream education because of family circumstance – or because of personal difficulty. I have no doubt that some of you will have had obstacles and hurdles to overcome. Meeting those challenges has been an educational experience – and has been central to building your character. It is an experience that will have left an indelible mark on your personality – and one for which there is no certification. All of us have crosses to bear in our lives – and some of us have to face difficulty at a very early age. But each of us has our own talents and ability – and each needs the opportunity to discover for ourselves just what we can achieve. The services you get at the Centre are fulfilling that need in each of you – and giving you the opportunity to move on to face new challenges with new confidence and self-belief.
The secret of success for all of us is to be able to meet change – and to turn challenge into opportunity. As this Centre develops there will be new developments in society – changes that will mean that each of us has to look at what we do and how we do it. I want to wish you all well in your work at the Centre – work that has meant that you have been able to meet change – and to cater for changing circumstances. I know that you have dedicated people working with you and for you – and that there are many people who have a lot faith in what you are doing.
ENDS