July 12, 2019

News Release

For Immediate Release

EDITOR'S NOTE: Members of the media may contact the Rutgers 4‑H Youth Development Program by phone at 848-932-3597 or by email at nj4h@njaes.rutgers.edu.

New Jersey 4-H Members to Attend International Leadership for Life Conference in Ireland

Ten (10) New Jersey 4‑H members will attend the 2019 International Leadership for Life Conference. This conference, hosted by Foróige, a youth development organization in Ireland, will be held July 29–August 2 at the National University of Ireland, commonly known as Maynooth University located in Maynooth, Ireland.

Foróige's Leadership for Life Conference, now in its 11th year, is held annually and is one of the highlights of the Foróige program. Foróige was formed in 1952 and is based on the 4‑H youth development program model. The conference involves approximately 300 high school age young people. While at the conference, attendees participate in one of the three levels (modules) of the Leadership for Life Program. Delegates will meet teens from Ireland, Northern Ireland, the United States, India, and other countries. They will engage in over 15 hours of leadership workshops; hear from a variety of guest speakers who will tell their personal leadership journey, their challenges, their successes and will inspire the delegates to achieve their goals; and participate in evening activities such as teambuilding, quiz night, talent night, and the closing gala dinner.

The New Jersey 4‑H delegates attending the conference are:

  • Cape May County: Elise Heim
  • Camden County: Scarlett Kinsey
  • Hunterdon County: Christina Piparo
  • Morris County: Kristin Osika
  • Ocean County: Riley Chenoweth-Hafner
  • Somerset County: Kaleigh Brunner, Megan Norz, Susan Norz, and Fiona You
  • Warren County: Sarah Chaplain

Foróige's Leadership for Life is a personal leadership development program aimed at equipping young people to explore their vision and passion, and to develop key skills such as planning, decision making, critical thinking, goal setting and problem solving that are core to leadership. This leadership program was developed based on theories and principles of youth work, leadership development, and leadership styles. The Leadership for Life Program is offered in three sequential modules. Each module consists of 15 hours of educational workshops with topics serving as a bridge from one level to the next.

The New Jersey 4‑H members will complete the Advanced Leadership Module while at the conference. This module enables participants to put into practice their learning from previous modules by actively engaging in a community action project of their choice, keeping a learning journal of their experiences, and presenting a portfolio upon completion. The delegates will plan and conduct a service project upon their return from the conference.

"The Leadership for Life Conference is aimed at enriching young people's lives by broadening their appreciation and respect for themselves and others in the world. The conference will provide an opportunity for New Jersey 4‑H members to take part in an international experience and to participate in advanced leadership training, preparing them to identify community issues, explore causes, possible solutions, and community action efforts," according to Jeannette Rea Keywood, 4‑H Agent, Department of 4‑H Youth Development.

The 4‑H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension, 4‑H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades K–13, on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, marital status, domestic partnership status, military service, veteran status, and any other category protected by law. For more information about the New Jersey 4‑H Program visit the 4‑H website at nj4h.rutgers.edu.

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Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Boards of County Commissioners. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is an qual opportunity program provider and employer.

Rutgers New Jersey 4-H Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station