Soroptimist Girls Public Speaking Competition
This competition was established jointly in 1981
by Soroptimist President, Republic of Ireland, Mildred O'Brien,
and Soroptimist President, Northern Ireland, Marie Brownlee. Our
Club has been directly involved in the Competition since 1984.
It is open to girls in second level education, between the ages
of 15 and 18, from schools North and South.
The aims of the competition are:
1. To encourage girls to play a more prominent part in public
life.
2. To improve the art of communication.
3. To encourage girls to develop the skills to speak effectively
and to articulate with clarity
4. To develop self-confidence and personality.
The topics specified for the competitors' talks are based on
the aims of soroptimism: education; environment; economic and
social development; health; human rights and the status of women;
international goodwill and understanding.
It takes a degree of courage for a young girl to stand up in
public, before an adult audience, and her peers. The research
necessary and the use of communication skills is an extremely
valuable experience in the formation of young girls to enable
them to take their place as future leaders in society.
Support from teachers, parents and fellow students is vital for
the success of this annual project. The National Organisation
enjoys sponsorship from the corporate sector to help promote the
competition.
The winners, from North and South, are awarded prizes at local
regional and national level and for the past two years a trip
to the European Parliament in Strasbourg was enjoyed by the twenty
finalists from North and South. The two outright winners are
also invited to the North/South Conference in May each year.
Public Speaking 2007 - 2008
The local round has been completed and two speakers will go forward to the Regional Final which will be held on 24th February 2008 in the Ferrybank Hotel at 2pm.
The National Final will be held on 8th March at 2pm in Cork.
Our Public Speaking Convenor is Eileen Hall who is also the National Convenor.
