The Blue Star programme goes ‘live’!
Cork, 11 November 2014: Minister of State for European Affairs and Data Protection, Dara Murphy TD visits Gaelscoil Uí Drisceoil in Glanmire, Cork this morning to kick off the school’s participation in the Blue Star programme and to officially launch a brand new website: www.bluestarprogramme.ie.
The objective of the Blue Star Programme, now in its fourth year, is to foster better understanding and knowledge among Irish primary pupils, of how the European Union affects our lives. To date, the Programme, which is managed by European Movement Ireland, has already involved over 200 schools and 15,000 school children across Ireland. The website will act as a resource and information point and will, over time, become a knowledge hub for participating schools, as well as those considering embarking on the Blue Star Programme.
The Minister of State said “Twenty schools in Cork have signed up for Blue Star over the last 3 years, and I’m delighted to hear that already another eighteen have applied for the current school year. And it gives me great pleasure to launch the Blue Star Programme website here in one of the participating Cork schools, Gaelscoil Uí Drisceoil, which is a great start to the school’s participation in the Programme.”
“All primary schools are eligible to register for the Programme,” said Mr Joe Bishop Blue Star Programme manager with European Movement Ireland. “We already provide lots of material, advice and a curriculum guide, so the new website will complement this,” added Mr Bishop, “And we’re here to help, no matter how big or small a national school is. Interested teachers can contact us on (01) 662 5815 or by e-mail on bluestar@europeanmovement.ie.”
Ends.
Available for comment
EM Ireland’s Blue Star Programme manager, Joe Bishop is available for interview and comment. Contact Frances Byrne at EM Ireland, on 01 662 5815, 086 814 3297 or email frances@europeanmovement.ie
About the Blue Star Programme
The Blue Star Programme is a joint venture of the Communicating Europe Initiative, supported by the Office of the Minister of State for European Affairs in the Department of the Taoiseach, the European Commission Representation in Ireland and the European Parliament Information Office in Ireland.
The Blue Star Programme aims to introduce participants (pupils, teachers, parents and the wider community) to the EU; what it means and how it works. The Programme also aims to foster a strong sense of awareness of the EU among its participants that reaches far beyond the school walls and out into the community. The national co-ordinating body for the programme for the next three years is European Movement Ireland.
About European Movement Ireland
Founded in 1954 and marking its 60th anniversary this year, European Movement Ireland is an independent not-for-profit, membership organisation working to make the connection between Irish people and the European Union. Through education programmes and advocacy work, European Movement campaigns for every Irish person to get involved with the European Union and, by doing so, help shape it through reasoned, robust and informed debate. For more information, visit www.europeanmovement.ie.
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