The Washington Ireland Program will celebrate its fifteenth year anniversary this year. Growing from the seed of Project Children, WIP now has a pool of more than 380 graduates pursuing successful careers as elected officials, senior policy advisors, media professionals and acclaimed entrepreneurs. At work across the political, legal, business and the non-profit sectors, WIP graduates today form a network of successful professionals.
More importantly however, WIP has also produced responsible and active global citizens, inquisitive minds and accomplished leaders of their communities. Offering invaluable professional experience as well as personal development, WIP has created an ethos of service and leadership on the island of Ireland and further afield.
While the political status of Northern Ireland is reaching a peaceful conclusion, the scars of the past will not be forgotten. The Washington Ireland Program has a vital role to play in protecting this peace and ensuring that strong relationships between Unionists and Nationalists built on trust, reconciliation and mutual respect continue to thrive.
WIP's longevity is largely due to its committed, enthusiastic and energetic volunteers. Aided by the practical and financial support of donors and volunteers on both sides of the Atlantic, WIP owes its success to the talents, time and innovation of this dedicated group.
To celebrate this momentous occasion and honour those who have supported the program through its illustrious history, the WIP network will gather for this momentous anniversary October 8th 2009 in Dublin.
The members of WIP Class of 2009 are dedicated to both elements of the program: service and leadership. Prior to their arrival in DC, each intern completed an individual public service project ranging from volunteering with disadvantaged children to working with environmental projects.
During their orientation week in DC, the class visited disadvantaged school JO Wilson. The interns spent some time assisting in classrooms before participating in a school sports day. Between water fights and playground games, all 31 interns had the opportunity to interact with the children and appreciate the alternative side to DC.
Throughout the first half of the summer, the interns have been volunteering with a number of local organizations addressing the needs of the city's most disadvantaged citizens. Having completed training with DC Cares, the WIP class of 2009 are qualified to participate in a range voluntary activities from working in soup kitchens and food drives to befriending the mentally unwell and laying environmental trails. Through umbrella group DC Cares, the areas of work have ranged from Loaves and Fishes, DC Central Kitchen, Arlington Food Assistance Centre (AFAC), Capital Area Food Bank, DC Care Home and Saint Elizabeth's Hospital. Among the interns, public service opportunities have been popular with several service opportunities being oversubscribed.
As part of the service curriculum, all 31 interns participated in a group restoration project with the Phelps Stokes Restoration Project in suburb of Hyattsville. An opportunity for both team building and public service, this allowed the interns to get out of their professional suits and get their hands dirty. Interns helped lay part of the trail that will allow access to the restoration area and remove the non-native plants which are threatening the indigenous plant and wildlife.
As we reach the half way point of the summer, the 2009 class is well on their way to fulfilling their public service obligations. Completing both leadership and service moments, they are dedicated to using their skills, talents and aptitudes for the good of their host city and determined to leave a positive mark on Washington DC.
The public service task force, a subgroup responsible for public service management, is committed to finding a suitable group public service project with which to conclude the summer. It is fitting, in this fifteenth anniversary year, that the group service project reflects WIP's commitment to serving those less fortunate while building a team of future leaders from the island of Ireland.
The Washington-Ireland Program Class of 2009 began their summer semester in Washington with an exciting orientation scheduled. An engaging mix of guest speakers, high profile functions and tours of the city combined to make it one of the busiest weeks of the summer.
This year, the class was honoured to attend a private meeting with Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. After an interesting lecture on the history of the building and the role of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Roberts allowed the class to ask questions on topics ranging from judicial activism to his advice for budding legal professionals. The class was also treated to a tour of the magnificent building. Each year, WIP is honoured to welcome key Washington personalities to speak to the class.
Irish Ambassador Michael Collins addresses the class in relation to his strategic paper entitled: "Ireland and America: Challenges and Opportunities in a New Context". Director of the Northern Ireland Bureau, Norman Houston, offered the Ulster Scots perspective, while author and professor Tim Meagher gave a historical analysis of how this special relationship has developed. Given that the strength of the Irish-American relationship ensures WIP's position as one of the premier internship programs in Washington DC, the interns were enthralled and eager to learn how the relationship can be cemented in the future.
The class was honoured to meet with former Congressman and WIP Board member Jim Walsh who spoke of his admiration for the Peace Process and the leadership taken by members of both communities in Northern Ireland to seek a lasting peace.
In preparation for their speeches, the interns got a masterclass from former White House Communications Director and speechwriter, Don Baer. He contrasted the leadership styles of his former boss President Clinton and incumbent President Obama. Speechwriters David Frank, Jim Grosfeld and WIP Board Chairman Kevin Sullivan gave the class their top ten tips for great speechwriting, along with their choices for the best speeches ever written.
An evening panel discussion featuring Hill Staffers and professionals Tamera Luzzatto, Jack Dover and John Freehery educated the interns on "How Washington Works" both politically and professionally. On a more touristic note, the interns took a tour of Washington's famous monuments, Arlington Cemetery and Capitol Hill. The class spent an afternoon at the High Ropes course in Maryland University completing teambuilding exercise and abseiling.
Week one concluded with a prestigious event at the National Press Club held in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Bureau. Several interns spoke on the topic "Northern Ireland: The Next Chapter", drawing on both their personal experiences as future leaders of their home communities and their historical knowledge of their countries.
