IT'S 11 p.m. on a cold February night and 30 Irish teenagers have divided into five groups and spread themselves around the lobby of the Holiday Inn in Strasbourg. Each group has been assigned a topic which they will discuss the following day in five working groups of a Euroscola session of the European Parliament.
Up to 600 young people from all over Europe will be there. They will join the groups to which they have been assigned the circle, diamond, trapezium, triangle and square groups.
Tonight, though, the Irish circles are discussing how the Parliament can be used to guarantee a more democratic Europe. An hour into the discussions, the diamond group takes a break. Deep divisions have emerged as to whether Europe can be deepened and widened at the same time.
The trapeziums, meanwhile, have been pondering the compatibility of economic development and the environment. Initially there were deep disagreements but a consensus is emerging - they say.
Later the groups chose the person who will present Ireland's opening address at Euroscola. Dave Mahon, from CBS Wexford, is selected to make the one-minute presentation in a European language other than his mother tongue. Writing, translating and practising his speech in French takes until 5 a.m.
The work pays off. The Irish take the Parliament by storm. Dave's speech is excellent. Although, the Irish representation is much smaller than many other countries, the five working groups pick two Irish presidents, two Irish secretaries and two Irish rapporteurs.
At the plenary session, the Irish rapporteurs - Orla Byrne, from St Michael's Grammar School in Lurgan, Co Armagh, and Margaret O'Flaherty, from the Dominican College in Wicklow - make superb presentations. They receive the highest votes.
Everyone is ecstatic. "The work we did last night really helped," says Orla. "All the topics we had discussed came up in the workshop today."
The 30 Irish youngsters embarked on the road to Strasbourg last autumn when they entered the Irish League of Credit Unions' Rotary Youth Leadership Competition. The competition is open to 15 to 19 year-olds. Winners of regional competitions are awarded five-day study tours to Strasbourg, including a day at the Euroscola.
Up to 1,300 second-level schools, north and south, are invited to put forward candidates for the competition which is also open to youth groups. Candidates go through a series of interviews organised by credit unions and rotary clubs.
"It's the way you put yourself across at interviews that's important," says 17-year-old Brendan Kelly, from Drogheda Grammar School, Co Louth. Certificates are awarded to all participants at each stage of the competition. Club finalists also win £100 each.
THE students are very enthusiastic about the competition. "I entered because I wanted to get some experience of interviews," says Fidelma McCormick, from the Convent Grammar School in Strabane, Co Tyrone. "It will be very helpful when I go for jobs."
Elaine Cannon, from Gort Community School, Co Galway, says that she was advised to enter because it would look good on her CV. She is thinking of nursing and hopes her participation will help.
"It's great fun," confirms Conor Linnane, from Mary Immaculate Secondary School in Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare. "Everybody should apply. It's a great opportunity to meet new people of your own age.
The experience gave very useful insights into the European Parliament and the opportunity to practise your languages, comments Caroline Greenlee, from Larne Grammar School in Co Antrim. "Everybody is very friendly and we're all mixing well."
