Global Ireland Young Leaders Competition 2025

Global Ireland Young Leaders Programme is a competition, which encourages Transition Year students in Ireland and Year 11/Year 12 students in Northern Ireland to consider the country’s role in the world in an independent and creative way. The prize for successful applicants will be an opportunity to view first-hand the work of Ireland’s foreign affairs service through a three-day programme hosted at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin.

Students will gain the opportunity to experience the world of diplomacy and foreign affairs through interactive workshops, discussions on the work of international NGOs, peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland, and a visit to an embassy in Dublin.

Details on the inaugural programme and testimonials from participating students can be found here.

Students are invited to apply for the Global Ireland Young Leaders Programme through submission of a written or video essay on the competition theme:

The importance of youth perspectives in foreign policy

As the world becomes increasingly complex and interconnected, the voice of young people in helping shape global governance is more crucial than ever. We are eager to hear from the youth of Ireland about how they see their future role in international cooperation, leadership, and decision-making processes.

Entries must include a written composition of not more than 500 words or a video of no more than 90 seconds on the competition theme.

Submissions will be judged by a panel of experts from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

In your submission, the judging panel will expect you to be able to express your beliefs and viewpoints in a clear and concise manner while demonstrating creative and critical thinking in your approach.

The following specific criteria will be applied in judging submissions:

• Relevance to the theme

• Originality

• Insights/critical reflection

• Style and presentation

Schools are asked to nominate a maximum of two entries per school. Schools may wish to hold preliminary competitions or select two students to enter.

To enter, the Transition Year coordinator/ relevant teacher should email youngleaders@dfa.ie to submit the application on the students behalf. The email should contain:

a. Student’s full name

b. Full name of the school

c. Name of Transition Year coordinator / relevant teacher

d. Written piece as a Word attachment OR if entering a video submission please request a Sharefile link for the file to be uploaded.

The deadline for submissions is April 4. The programme will take place provisionally on the week starting May 5.

This competition is open to Transition Year students in Ireland and Year 11/Year 12 students in Northern Ireland.

The prize will be a three-day programme offering students the opportunity to experience the work of a diplomat, including interactive workshops, discussions on the work of international NGOs, peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland, and an opportunity to visit an embassy in Dublin.

Please note that the programme will take place in Dublin. For advice and support with accommodation, please make contact with the Department.

a. The submission must be your own work. If you quote the works of others or of official texts, please remember to reference the source. Borrowing video equipment from your school and recruiting others to help in filming is fine.

b. The judging panel will assess all entries and select successful applicants to take part in the three-day programme at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The decision of the judging panel is final.

c. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will have the right to publish or otherwise duplicate any entries to the contest, along with the author’s name.

d. No copyrighted materials (music, images, etc.) may be used for this contest unless you own the copyright or have a license to use the material for this contest. Written permission must be obtained and provided upon request for all copyrighted materials.

e. If chosen as a competition winner, a parental permission form must be signed and submitted along with details of the school’s insurance policy.