Young Social Innovators (YSI) and AbbVie  continue to empower young people in west Dublin to change the world for good through a unique partnership offering free social innovation workshops to schools

PRESS RELEASE

Dublin, April 2015: Young Social Innovators (YSI) and global biopharmaceutical company, AbbVie, are continuing to combine forces following a successful partnership in 2014 which saw over 450 young people from Dublin, Cork and Sligo avail of free EXPLORE Social Innovation workshops.

Recently, workshops were held across Dublin in Collinstown Park Community College, St. Joseph’s College, Lucan, St. Kevin’s College, Finglas and Colaiste Bride, Clondalkin involving some 150 junior and senior students.

The workshops, delivered by YSI Facilitators with the support of AbbVie volunteers, are tailored to ignite the creativity and passion of young people and to empower them to recognise their potential as powerful catalysts for positive change. They aim to help young people prepare for the uncertainty of a rapidly changing world and equip them with work and life skills, in addition to increasing their self-belief, confidence and self-awareness.

“The workshop was well organised and the students were totally engaged in all aspects of the session. Opportunities for students to work with the private sector add to the students’ knowledge, personal development and confidence,” said Noel Kelly, a teacher and YSI Guide at the Collinstown Park Community School workshop.

AbbVie volunteer Katharina McCormack said it was inspiring to see the passion, drive and enthusiasm coming from the students who are participating in the YSI programme. “People of this calibre are essential to the future of our society. Identifying something you believe in and taking action to make a difference are admirable qualities in our youth. As a parent I hope my children will someday have the opportunity to experience the YSI programme,” she added.

Young Social Innovators, which challenges young people to tackle social issues in their communities and to come up with and implement innovative ideas for positive change, has been empowering young people through its programmes, workshops and events since 2001.

To date, more than 80,000 have partnered with the organisation to make a real difference to local communities throughout Ireland by creating youth cafés, play facilities, peer education resources, communication campaigns and much more. They have addressed issues including mental health, climate change, homelessness, farm safety, human trafficking, internet safety and more.

Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Young Social Innovators, Rachel Collier, praised AbbVie’s support.  “We are delighted to be continuing this partnership with AbbVie. It would not be possible to deliver our wide range of programmes and workshops without the support of partners and staff who volunteer their time and talent. AbbVie recognises the potential of social innovation to impact positively on the lives and mentality of young people, their communities and society. Through this initiative AbbVie is contributing in a big way to creating a fairer and more equal and caring society,” she added.

AbbVie’s Irish General Manager Todd Manning said: “As a company, we are committed to using innovation to create medicines that improve the lives of people across Ireland and the world.  YSI innovates in a different social space but their vision is similar as we both aspire to better the lives of people in the communities we work in. Young  people who experience the EXPLORE Workshops will hear how their passion, imagination and vision can be harnessed in a variety of ways to deliver a remarkable impact and help make society a better place to live in.”

In addition to the three Dublin schools that are participating in the workshop initiative, AbbVie and Young Social Innovators will also run the event in Cork and Sligo as part of the series. 

ENDS

About AbbVie

AbbVie is a global research-based biopharmaceutical company formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott. It employs more than 400 people at five manufacturing and commercial sites across Ireland. The company’s commercial headquarters is based in Dublin as is a separate international manufacturing and engineering services centre. AbbVie has two manufacturing plants in Sligo and one in Cork. The company’s mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to develop and market advanced therapies that address some of the world’s most complex and serious diseases. AbbVie employs more than 26,000 people worldwide and markets medicines in more than 170 countries.

AbbVie employs more than 400 people at five sites across Ireland and has its Irish commercial headquarters at the Liffey Valley Office Campus in Quarryvale. A strong element of AbbVie’s support is employee engagement. Staff members volunteer to participate at workshops across the country and have a hands-on role in supporting activities by welcome participants and assisting the YSI trainer in the facilitation of the workshop.

For further information on the company and its people, portfolio and commitments, please visit www.abbvie.com.  Follow @abbvie on Twitter or view careers on our Facebook or LinkedIn page.