President Higgins- on the money

Getting to the heart of the young Irish - The Irish Times - Fri, Aug 24, 2012: "Among the submissions that have arrived so far are calls for awareness about citizenship, equality and respect to be taught at primary level; at second level a greater emphasis on informing students about how the State works and who is responsible for decision-making; at third level greater space to debate big-picture issues such as what we can expect out of education, careers and the economy.

They are issues close to the President’s heart.

He has long railed against the corrosive effects of “radical individualism” and the need to build a new future underpinned by an ethic that emphasises the needs of the many, rather than the speculative adventures of the few.

“We need now, more than ever, a vibrant, imaginative and creative population to re-build our land, to build a real Republic,” he said.

While many despair at the shaky future that awaits a new generation, he said there were also opportunities. Young people have an opportunity to know more about connections between science, technology and the environment; they are likely to be more questioning of institutions."

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