Teams from Mount Mercy and Davis College joined some 400 Principals and Deputy Principals of Secondary Schools at their Annual Conference in Killarney last week where they spoke to them about their YSI projects: Divert your Stride from Suicide and Missing Persons/Forget me Not.

Alongside YSI CEO Rachel Collier, teams spoke about the importance of social innovation education and how it impacts on their lives and the lives of so many others. Niamh McCarthy and Cliona O'Connell, Young Social Innovators of the Year 2011, spent time with Ruairi Quinn, Minister for Education & Skills, explaining why they chose the topic of suicide for their project and how they organised a conference for young people on mental health last year and are planning another conference for their peers early next year. The Minister congratulated them on their work and spoke of them as an example of the kind of young social innovators and entrepreneurs Ireland needs.

Peter, Shelly and Josie presented the work of their project, Missing Persons, both last year and this year. Their Forget me Not Calendar featuring images of missing people throughout Ireland is published and can now be found in Tesco stores. Please support the families' on-going campaigns by purchasing a calendar.

“Sometimes words are not enough to express the passion, commitment and sheer brilliance of the work of thousands of young social innovators all around Ireland. The YSI Teams demonstrate best how social innovation education provides real life and work skills as well as bringing huge benefits to local communities and Irish society,” Rachel commented during her presentation on social innovation to the Principals and Deputies.