THE University of Limerick will host 450 students from 22 countries next week during the Operation Smile Annual International Student Leadership Conference (ISLC) from July 14 to 19. Operation Smile is an international children’s charity that provides free surgery for children born with facial deformities including cleft lip and cleft palate This is the second time the ISLC will be held in Ireland and Operation Smile founders, plastic surgeon Dr Bill Magee and his wife Kathy Magee will officially open the conference on Monday July 14. The Conference aims to educate students on the value of service within their communities and help develop their skills as future philanthropic leaders. Oscar-nominated, Grammy award-winningsongwriter, Amir Windo,m who wrote Pharrell William’s chart-topping ‘Happy’, will speak to the students alongside other internationally-acclaimed authors and entrepreneurs. “The purpose of the week-long leadership conference is to enrich each student’s perspective of the value of service within their community and help develop their skills as future philanthropic leaders,” said Operation Smile’s co-founders Dr Bill and Kathy Magee. Throughout the week, students will participate in team-building activities, attend leadership workshops, compete in field games and complete service projects.
