EIL Intercultural Learning

I can think of no better way to start my blog as Director of EIL than by paying a warm tribute to Paul Conway who completed his six year term as Chair of the Board of EIL Intercultural Learning on January 31st. Paul is a remarkable man who has given huge service to EIL over many years as an unpaid volunteer, leader, mentor and visionary. Paul began his association with EIL in 1986 when he participated on a homestay programme behind the then "iron curtain" in Poland. There he was sold on the idea of building a more peaceful world one friendship at a time. Afterwards he became the EIL representative to the National Youth Council of Ireland and served on the board of EIL. Knicknamed "The Captain" by the Director of EIL Turkey in honour of his leadership skills, Paul has invested long hours in helping to turn EIL in to the vibrant and successful organisation it is today. He has pushed EIL to be a leader in the field of child protection in international exchanges and has been an enthusiastic advocate on behalf of the EIL development education programme. Paul is also a very active volunteer in The Red Cross and is most at home while cycling around Dublin (although he started driving in the last six months and has just passed his driving test - well done Paul!!). Thanks Paul for all of your great work on behalf of EIL - thanks also to Brenda your wife and to your three children for allowing EIL to invade your family life. I'm glad you will remain an active member of the board and that you will continue to play a key leadership role in EIL for many years to come.

Filling Paul's shoes will not be an easy task. But I think we have found just the right woman to do so!, Our new Chair is Judy Roche, a young Solicitor originally from Ballinasloe in Co. Galway but now living in Dublin. Judy had her first EIL experience while she was still a secondary school student in July 2000. She was winner of the EIL Travel Award to Ecuador. In the years that followed, Judy became an active volunteer within EIL joining the Board and visiting the Phillipines in 2002 and taking on the role of leader of the Hong Kong / Ireland Youth Exchange Programme in 2004. Judy will be supported by Daire Hickey (no relation) who takes over as Vice Chairperson. Daire is well known through his time as President of The Philisoph at Trinity College in Dublin and from his recent profile in Phoenix Magazine. The third member of the Executive Board is Mary Jo Walshe from Tralee, Co. Kerry where she works for Southwest Walks and provides invaluable advice to EIL staff taking care of incoming groups.

2009 is going to be strange year and will present lots of challenges as the world economy struggles. EIL will not be immune from this, but we have a great leadership team in place and are ready to meet the challenges head on. To learn more about how we navigate our way through these choppy waters tune back in to this blog from time to time. I hope it will be a way for you to learn about EIL behind the scenes and to find out a bit more about the ethos, passion and philosophy which drives us.