On the evening of May 17th, 2017, approximately 40 of this year’s fellows were welcomed at a reception hosted by Irish Aid at Iveagh House, the headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin.

In attendance was Minister of State for the Diaspora and Overseas Development, Joe McHugh TD, who spoke about his time in Kenya and Uganda, and in particular acknowledged Uganda’s efforts in hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees, and the need for European countries to do more to support these efforts.

Two of the fellows also spoke: Abdul Koroma from Liberia and Duth Kimsru from Cambodia. Abdul recounted his personal and career journey to date, and spoke poignantly about the years of crisis in Liberia during the outbreak of the Ebola Virus. Abdul also presented some slides with photographs representing his experiences in Ireland.

Following this, Kimsru also recounted her time in Ireland, but spoke too of her work with her organisation in Cambodia, PEPY Empowering Youth, and their partnership with a Dublin School, Donabate Portrane Educate Together.

With the formalities out of the way, then, Irish Aid and ICOS staff were able to catch up with fellows on what was the last formal occasion at which this year’s fellows will meet, and so for many it was an occasion to say goodbye.

ICOS and Irish Aid would like to wish all 2016/17 fellows the best of luck in their exams and dissertations in the weeks ahead, and look forward to continued engagement into the future when they return to their home countries in the coming months.