The Young Ambassador Program is organised through the Friends of Saint Patrick organisation and the Saint Patrick Centre (www.saintpatrickcentre.com). It is designed to promote a greater understanding of the shared cultural heritage of Northern Ireland in North America amongst those aged 20-25. Based on the Application on this website and following an interview process Young Ambassadors will be selected to travel to Downpatrick and County Down for 15 days in June 2009 to explore various aspects of the history and traditions of the island of Ireland and develop their own chosen cultural dissertations. They will complete their agreed dissertations when they go home and following a successful review will be formally made Young Ambassadors.

The aim of the Young Ambassador Program is to establish a network of informed and influential individuals throughout North America who can actively represent the northern part of Ireland throughout their lives. Northern Ireland provides an incredibly diverse platform to learn about many social and cultural aspects of contemporary and historical life in Ireland as well as a developing model for community reconciliation which is relevant to many cities in North America. Young Ambassadors will develop a meaningful and on-going relationship with Chapters of the Friends of Saint Patrick, the Saint Patrick Centre and organisations linked to the Program. They will continue to represent them when appropriate throughout the rest of their lives.
Accommodation and Travel will be covered within this program but food and drink costs will be the responsibility of the successful applicants.

The Young Ambassadors Program is a program promoted by the Friends of Saint Patrick in North America and endorsed by the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington DC.