Tánaiste launches Youth Travel SPHE Lesson ahead of Consular Forum
- Published on: 24 October 2024
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, will today launch the TravelWise Social, Personal, and Health Education (SPHE) Smart Lesson.
This new education resource is designed to provide Senior Cycle students with essential travel knowledge and was developed in collaboration with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.
The Tánaiste said:
"I am delighted to launch the TravelWise Smart Lesson, which will empower young people to make informed and responsible decisions when travelling abroad.
"The lesson builds on my department’s recent Make the Right Memories public awareness campaign to better prepare young people when it comes to travelling overseas. This innovative approach to curriculum delivery brings my department’s engagement with young people into the classroom.”
The launch will take place ahead of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ annual Consular Forum, hosted at Iveagh House today. The theme of the Forum is Educate, Explore, and TravelWise. It will underline the importance of education and preparation for young travellers while highlighting the department’s commitment to supporting Irish citizens, particularly those in vulnerable situations overseas.
The department’s Consular Forum will highlight the strong relationship between the department and its partner organisations, setting the stage for ongoing collaborative programmes.
Stakeholders from the diplomatic community, partner organisations, educators, students, and media will engage on issues surrounding international travel, education, and the well-being of Irish citizens abroad. The first panel will see representatives of USIT, Foróige, the the Irish Second-Level Students Union, and the National Council for Curriculum & Assessment discuss ‘Youth and Travel Education’.
Supporting the health and well-being of Irish citizens overseas will be the focus for the second panel, with representatives from Crosscare, the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas, and the Samaritans looking at how partnership and collaboration are critical in addressing the unique challenges faced by vulnerable Irish citizens abroad, including those that are homeless, in prisons, and those with mental health issues.
For more information on the TravelWise Smart Lesson Plan, visit Ireland.ie/SPHE.