<p>
	The GAA was identified as a shining example of how to foster youth engagement at a major conference for young people.</p>
<p>
	An international Unesco symposium at Croke Park was told by a leading academic that the organisation had perfected the ability to stitch together communities.</p>
<p>
	Professor Mark Brennan, Unesco Chair in Rural Community, Leadership and Youth Development at Penn State University, said that other countries could learn from the GAA&rsquo;s example.</p>
<p>
	Prof Brennan said: &ldquo;The Gaelic Athletic Association is a true grassroots organisation. It empowers, involves and invigorates not just individual young people, but their families and wider communities. We hear a lot about the &lsquo;fabric&rsquo; of society. Organisations such as the GAA are examples of a wonderful type of clever stitching which can make this fabric strong and support young people as they develop.</p>
<p>
	Some of the representatives from sport at the event included Alan Kerins, former All-Ireland winning Galway hurler and founder of Alan Kerins Projects, and Hugo MacNeill, the former Irish rugby star who runs Goldman Sachs investment banking business in Ireland.</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/gaa-hailed-for-helping-young-people-develop-30546257.html">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/gaa-hailed-for-helping-young-people-develop-30546257.html</a></p>
