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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, has announced additional funding for the Washington Ireland Programme while celebrating programme’s 30th anniversary in Washington.
The Minister, who is in Washington as part of a week-long trade mission, announced an additional €50,000 in funding for the prestigious programme.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said:
“I’m delighted to be here today to celebrate the magnificent work done by the Washington Ireland Programme since its inception in 1995.
“Today I am announcing extra funding for the programme. This funding will go towards driving to objectives of the programme which provide young students from each corner of Ireland with huge educational opportunity in a capital steeped in political history and significance.
“In the past 30 years the programme has made a significant contribution in preparing future generations to carry out important roles in leadership and in building and maintaining good working relationships between Northern Ireland and Ireland."
The Minister continued:
“Following the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive last week, WIP’s vision for a peaceful Northern Ireland and Ireland, promoted through a network of leaders North and South who can work together to build relationships across diverse communities is more important and relevant now than ever. It is a key piece of a complex jigsaw to create and foster a positive environment to work on a cross-community basis.
“The additional funding recognises the work and educational opportunities offered by the programme and I hope it will be of benefit to many in the class of 2024.”
Speaking following the announcement, Nicola Skelly, Executive Director of Washington Ireland Programme, said:
"The Washington Ireland Program welcome the announcement from Minister Harris on the increase in support for our Emerging Leaders program as we celebrate our 30th anniversary. The Irish government has been the longest standing supporter of WIP and has enabled us to develop future leaders from across the island of Ireland. With this support, we can continue to develop young people to become the change-makers and leaders of tomorrow, delivering on the business of peacebuilding and public service each day."
For three decades, the Washington Ireland Program (WIP) has played an important role in post-conflict Northern Ireland and Ireland by bringing together leaders from a wide range of communities and backgrounds for outstanding leadership and skills-development programs. WIP’s aim is to support, inspire and develop leaders who are committed to building a future of peace and prosperity for Northern Ireland and Ireland.
WIP has a diverse community of over 900 alumni who are delivering on that vision - including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (Class of 2000), Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly MLA (Class of 2002), and Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA (Class of 2004). The WIP Alumni community also includes award winning journalists, tech entrepreneurs and artists. For more information, please visit the Washington Ireland Programme (WIP) website.
Students, drawn from different communities and backgrounds are given the knowledge and experience needed to become leaders shaping future on this island. As part of WIP’s values around social inclusion, the programme offers scholarship support, and it is estimated approx. 40% of the students avail of this.
Since its inception, it has made a significant contribution in preparing future generations to carry out important roles in leadership and in building and maintaining good working relationships between Northern Ireland and Ireland.
The WIP is co-funded by Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), the Northern Ireland Bureau, US fundraising and philanthropic donations from corporations, university partners, students and alumni.