The Irish Red Cross
hosted a hugely successful International Youth Camp in the University of Limerick from 9th - 17th August 2008. Irish Red Cross Youth members and participants from 16 National Societies around the
world took part in the Camp which provided them with a unique opportunity to meet with other Youth Members and discuss the Camp Theme "Youth - are we the new frontier of the Federation?".
Some of National Societies represented, included Britain, Germany, Belarus, Serbia, France, Uganda and The Netherlands. Participants were allocated into five groups which were named after each
"Founding Father" - Henry Dunant, Gustave Moynier, General Dufour, Theodore Maunoir and Dr. Louis Appia. A group leader was assigned to each group to guide them through the week\x92s
activities and assist in achieving the tasks set out for them.The Camp began with a day in the University of Limerick Outdoor Activity Centre in Killaloe where participants were given an
opportunity to challenge themselves physically with activities such as windsurfing, sailing, climbing and orienteering. The Irish Red Cross were delighted to have John Roche and Stephen
Ryan from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) come to Limerick and provide workshops for the participants. These workshops gave the participants an insight into
the IFRC, the Youth Commission and the work being carried out by Red Cross Youth members around the world. Within their groups, participants were encouraged to think about current issues and
challenges for the Red Cross and in particular Red Cross Youth and their communities. Some of the main challenges identified by participants were migration, volunteering, HIV & AIDS and climate
change. They were then given the opportunity to present and debate their views and propose recommendations as to where Youth involvement can impact on these issues.As well as working hard
in workshops, all the participants were given an opportunity to take part in fun challenges such as Exploring Limerick and the Red Cross Youth Challenge where groups took each other on in the swimming
pool and playing fields! There was an outing to the Cliffs of Moher and Bunratty Folk Park where participants experienced the beautiful West Coast of Ireland.The highlight of the camp was
the Closing Ceremony where groups presented their 10 Point Plans on their individual group questions which included their views on how to attract new members to Red Cross Youth, how to promote
equality in the Red Cross and how to teach the seven fundamental principles to Red Cross Youth Members. The presentations by the groups were excellent and testament to the hard work and effort put in
by the groups and their leaders. The body of work from the Camp will be collated, published and submitted to the Federation for distribution to other National Societies and to all levels within the
Irish Red Cross.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
