AWARD RENEWAL: Gordana Berjan (Executive Director of the European Youth Centre Budapest and the Council of Europe Quality Label Programme) pictured with Killarney Municipal District Mayor Cllr Michael Gleeson at the KDYS eurÓg Centre, Killarney on Tuesday. Also in photo from left are: Fr Ger Godley, Kevin Murphy (KDYS), Tim O'Donoghue (KDYS), Gemma O'Brien (KDYS) and Rose O'Connor, (KDYS). Photo: Don MacMonagle

On Tuesday KDYS eurÓg Centre, Killarney hosted the Council of Europe as part of a formal assessment for the awarding of the COE Quality Label for Youth Centres.

Gordana Berjan, Executive Director of the European Youth Centre Budapest and the Council of Europe Quality Label programme, was in Kerry to represent their expert team.

Killarney Municipal District Mayor, Cllr Michael Gleeson, was on hand to formally welcome the Council of Europe to Killarney.

The eurÓg Centre is seeking renewal of this award after becoming the only Centre in Ireland to achieve this status three years ago. If successful, KDYS will hold the Quality Label for a further five years.

The Centre has just completed the development of an onsite accommodation facility with a capacity to host groups of up to 49 people. This will enhance the expansion of the programme offerings which have Human Right Education at their foundation and support ongoing engagement with COE to enhance learning and development opportunities for both young people and youth workers.

These new programmes have already seen groups of Kerry young people travel to various parts of Europe exploring very relevant issues with their peers from different countries. One such example is the Kerry Comhairle Na nÓg group under Kerry County Council coordinated by KDYS. A delegation attended the European Youth Event in Strasbourg earlier this year. They presented their learning from this event to Kerry County Council members at KDYS eurÓg on Tuesday.

In addition, the Kerry Comhairle group recently completed a survey on facilities for young people in Kerry, and the group also presented their findings at the event.

“This is a very appropriate moment for this survey to be unveiled as the Council of Europe were present to give an input into the role of Youth Centres in Europe,” Tim O’Donoghue, KDYS eurÓg Director, said.

Kerry County Councillors and officials were present to hear and give their feedback also.

The assessment of eurÓg took place from Monday, October 28 through to Wednesday 30.

“The Kerry Comhairle Na nÓg event featured prominently as part of this process. Most importantly young people from all over Kerry had the opportunity to engage with Kerry County Council, the Council of Europe and KDYS to have their views heard and to directly receive a response in relation to what actions are in place to support Kerry’s youth.”