Dublin boy showcases IT skills in Brussels

A Dublin primary school pupil was one of 40 Irish young people who travelled to Brussels last month to demonstrate computer programming skills learnt through the Irish-founded movement CoderDojo.

Michael Kelly, from Glasnevin, who attends St Patrick’s National School, was greeted by local Dublin MEP Gay Mitchell at the event in the European Parliament.

Founded in Cork early last year, hundreds of CoderDojo clubs run by volunteer mentors have already sprung up in Ireland and in over 22 countries worldwide, teaching young people how to code, develop websites, apps, programmes and games.

The showcase in Brussels highlighted the work done by what has mushroomed rapidly into a global, not-for-profit collaboration to promote computer skills.

Speaking from Brussels, Fine Gael MEP Gay Mitchell said computer code was a universal language which could help Europe embrace the digital economy.

“Young people fluent in coding can drive the jobs, growth and innovation which will help underpin Europe’s recovery,

? he said.

Irish MEP Sean Kelly hosted the event, while Nessa Childers and Jim Higgins were also present, along with CoderDojo co-founder James Whelton, from Bishopstown in Cork.