Marquette's Center for Peacemaking will host an informational session on the Friends of Saint Patrick's young ambassador program today at 6:30 p.m.

The program, organized through the Saint Patrick Centre in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, is intended to help North American young adults gain a greater understanding of the cultural heritage of Northern Ireland and the mission of St. Patrick, said Tim Campbell, director of the Saint Patrick Centre.

The summer program, which started last year, is 15 days long. It began with the help of the Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge, two Irish culture and language promotion agencies. The program had 12 participants last year, many of them from the Midwest, Campbell said.

This year, the program will take fewer participants — two of which will be from the Milwaukee area.

Participants come up with a project idea of their interest with a tie to Irish culture, he said. Projects last year had to do with Scottish-Irish traditional media, education and Irish language.

"We accommodate for them to find resources for their projects," Campbell said.

The program pays for the cost of flights, accommodations and transfers, Campbell said. The price for each student is about $1,500. Last year, participants spent a night in Dublin and other cities around the Irish isle. Participants also got the chance to meet the president of Ireland, members of the Northern Ireland Parliament and other ministers.

"The program is purely in Ireland and about the various cultures it has," Campbell said.

He said the program is "life-changing," and does not end when participants leave Northern Ireland. Participants are asked to keep up with the program by attending other events held by the chapter here in the United States.

Greg Long, a student at Beloit College, was informed about the program through the Shamrock Club of Wisconsin. The club regularly sends out messages about programs related to Ireland and Irish culture.

Long's project concerned the Gaelic language and its growing use in everyday and business life. While in Northern Ireland, he met with common people who use the language.

He said he has kept up with his involvement by giving presentations about the program and promoting it in Beloit.

Jane Anderson, secretary treasurer of the Friends of Saint Patrick Milwaukee chapter, said the chapter plans to hold various events throughout the year. She said the group wanted to hold its chapter meeting at Marquette tonight to offer the program to students.

In addition, the group works with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee to educate second- and third-grade students on the life and mission of St. Patrick.

The chapter is also holding a concert at the Irish Fest Center, 1532 Wauwatosa Ave., on March 8.

"We hope to be visible at parades and help at food banks," Anderson said.

The organization's other U.S. chapter is in Minneapolis, and officials hope to start up other chapters as well, Campbell said.

Students can apply for the program at www.youngambassadorprogram.com.