merrion street

Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne T.D., today announced the opening of registrations for the tenth year of the Blue Star Programme.  The programme, which is implemented by European Movement Ireland for the Department of Foreign Affairs, aims to give children in primary schools across Ireland a better understanding of the European Union.

“As Minister for European Affairs I am delighted to announce that the Blue Star programme will take place in schools across Ireland once again this year. The Programme aims to help foster a strong sense of European citizenship and community among participants that I hope they will carry with them into later life.”

“I would also like to commend the work of European Movement Ireland, who manage this excellent programme on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Schools should be assured that for 2020-2021, careful consideration will be given to how participating schools complete the programme, in light of the COVID-19 crisis.”

The Blue Star Programme aims to give young people an early understanding of what it means to be European and how the EU works, through creative activities and projects in line with the national curriculum. The Programme is designed so that it can become part of lesson plans already in place. Pupils carry out projects on the history, geography, culture and creativity and Institutions of the EU.

Primary schools in Ireland are invited to register for the programme by 7 October 2020.

Further information on the Programme is available at https://www.bluestarprogramme.ie/