(L-R) Bryan Patten, Executive Director, Washington Ireland Program; Roisin Muirhead, participant; Sophie Carlisle, participant; Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau, U.S. Consul General; Christine Crossan, participant.
Group of 30 from NI graduate this month without setting foot in US
US Consul General, Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau has welcomed the hard work and commitment of the 2020 graduates of the Washington Ireland Program - normally hosted in Washington DC - despite not leaving the island of Ireland this summer.
The 2020 class experienced a radically different programme to previous years due to the Covid-19 pandemic restricting travel to the US, resulting in their inability to carry out internships at some of the leading political, law and media offices on Capitol Hill and Washington D.C.
The Washington Ireland Program was created in 1995 to support young leaders from all communities North and South, giving them the experience, skills and networks to shape a bright future for the island of Ireland.
While in previous years the central feature of the programme has been the opportunity for students to undertake work placements in New York City or Washington DC in influential offices such as Congress, media companies and law firms, this has been adapted to meet the Covid landscape. The entire programme has had to adapt to give this year’s students the same opportunity to continue their learning and development remotely.
From March onwards the programme was conducted entirely through virtual means. Using Zoom, students got the opportunity to hear from leading industry figures and key thinkers as well as take part in online work placements. Despite the difficulties facing the students in having to establish working relationships through virtual means, the programme was completed successfully with students set to graduate in the coming months.
Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau, Consul General for the United States in Belfast commented:
“This year’s graduating students should be commended for how they adapted to and overcame the challenges of the pandemic and strived to get the best out of the Washington Ireland Program in unprecedented times.
“The students displayed a great deal of determination in refusing to let the virus affect the course of their personal and professional growth. Their efforts reflect Northern Irish young people and their keen desire to progress, grow and better their futures.
“The Washington Ireland Program is a fantastic opportunity for young people across Northern Ireland and Ireland to gain professional experience and be part of a global network of leaders. Over the last 20 years we have seen its graduates go on to become the next generation of artists, entrepreneurs and political leaders shaping the future.
“Students were able to display the leadership qualities which the Program places so much importance on and adapted seamlessly to the situation thanks to their commitment to learn and face challenges.”
Bryan Patten, Executive Director of the Washington Ireland Program stated:
“The Class of 2020 faced challenges which no one could have foreseen and embraced the need to go virtual without hesitation. Without their positive attitude and desire to develop despite the external challenges, this year simply could not have gone ahead.
The program also wouldn’t have been possible without the steadfast commitment of our supporters in the US and at home – most importantly in the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington DC and the Irish Department of Education.
“The technology provided new opportunities too and gave the students more opportunities to connect with global leaders in business, diplomacy and politics from their own homes. We featured Karen Pierce, the newly appointed UK Ambassador to the US; Jen O’Malley Dillon current campaign manager leading Joe Biden’s 2020 Presidential challenge who formerly worked on both Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns; Democratic Congressman Brendan Boyle, who serves on the House Committee for Foreign Affairs; and Doug Feagin, President of International Business at Ant Financial, the world’s highest-valued FinTech Company.
“We had a total of 30 students taking part this year and each of them are a credit to themselves and the Program.”
Christine Crossan, a participant in this year’s program who studies Law at Ulster University said:
“One of the key messages of the Program was the importance of relating to the world and adapting to it. Working on work policy proposals on the coronavirus and its social effects was something I found hugely valuable. It was challenging at first trying to forge working relationships through a screen, but the Program made it really to sustain these relationships going forward.”
Another participant Sophie Carlisle who studies Law LLM at Queen’s University, Belfast said:
“The Program’s organisers went above and beyond to ensure that we still had the opportunity to interact with leading industry figures in areas such as politics, diplomacy, business, and financial technology. Having that dialogue with these figures allowed us to still feel involved and inspired without the physical interaction.”
Alumni of the Washington Ireland Program have gone on to become influential figures across Ireland in politics, finance, business, and the media. Notable alumni include:
Leo Varadkar, Fine Gael TD and Former Taoiseach.
Chris Lyttle, Alliance MLA and Chair of the Education Committee.
Kieran O’Connor, VP of Operations at Options Technology.
Dr Adrian Margey, award winning painter based on the North Coast.
Claire Sugden, Independent MLA and former Justice Minister in NI Executive.