SpunOut.ie Blog
September, 2007
Social Entrepreneurs and the meaning of madness
Blog by SpunOut.ie Founder Ruairí McKiernan.
It can be pretty intense work, running a national youth initiative and being involved in serious issues like mental health and suicide.
While everyone here at SpunOut.ie takes our work very seriously, we're also prone to a bit of madness now and then.
Well, perhaps I should speak for myself…
I recently took part in a 2-day Social Entrepreneurs Ireland residential at NUIG Maynooth. The residential featured workshops, talks, discussion and debate. Myself and Paul Kelly from Console presented on the recent Tough Times campaign and we heard from people like Mary Davis of Special Olympics Ireland and the Task Force on Active Citizenship, Brody Sweeney from O'Brien's Sandwich bars and other high flyers from the world of business and community work.
Also there was John McCarthy, one of the chief agitators in terms of mental health reform in Ireland, and a pretty controversial one at that! John, a Board member of Concern Worldwide and a former psychiatric patient, runs a project called Mental Health and The Law. He recently ran as a candidate in the general election in Cork.
Pictured here is myself and John and my response to the oh so serious question of 'what motivates you to work for social change?'.
By: Ruairí McKiernan
John McCarthy featured in 'The Naked Election', on Tuesday Sept. 18th on RTE One Television.
Photo by Clare Mulvany
www.exceptional-lives.blogspot.com
www.flickr.com/photos/cmulvany
Get involved opportunities
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We are currently looking for new moderators for the SpunOut.ie discussion forums. Moderators help SpunOut.ie staff ensure that the forums are a friendly and non-judgemental space for young people. If you are interested in volunteering your time and you are patient and open minded, then contact anna@spunout.ie for further information.
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Build bridges not walls
SpunOut.ie blog: Youth Editor Orla Price talks about her experience of the Amnesty International summer camp.
I have to say, Amnesty International summer camp was one of the best experiences of my life!!
There’s nothing like living together with strangers to make friends. Whether it was hiding from security guards, playing elevator music, learning Hebrew nursery rhymes or playing toffee (a game where you tangle everyone together and other people have try to pull you apart, used in protests) we all had incredibly memorable experiences.
It wasn’t all fun and games though and I don’t think anything could have prepared us for first hand accounts of the difficulties experienced by those whose lives are affected by the Israeli / Palestinian conflict.
It was a culture shock to learn that the Palestinian girls were not allowed in the same room with any of the boys. Or to hear that honour killings of daughters by fathers still go on and the police do nothing about it.
There were also stories of the constant security checks and restriction of movement through Palestine, as well as the hours and hours it took them to get here.
The most distressing part of the whole camp had to be the tears that were shed by the students who were held back longer than anyone else because of the stickers with numbers on their bags that meant they were Arabs.
The Israeli side spoke about witnessing suicide bombings, and the looming threat of army service over their heads, and about having to obey orders at checkpoints where women in labour were forced to give birth rather than be allowed to pass. People spoke of brothers and sisters in the army who did not want to follow these types of orders but had to do so.
We all decided unanimously to have a march for Palestinian/ Israeli solidarity. Some resounding opinions echoed through the planning: construction of the wall inside the west bank must be stopped, end expansion of the Israeli settlements, stop the restriction of movement in the occupied Palestinian territories or the need for the wall to be taken down altogether. We didn't know what solution could be reached (however we discussed power sharing, similar to the north and a three state solution) Our slogans included, ‘We live separately, we march together’ and ‘Build bridges not walls!’.
The last day of the camp was very difficult. We stayed up all night knowing it was the last day and afraid to go to sleep in case we missed everyone before they got on their early flight.
Seeing the Palestinians crying as the wondered if they would ever come back, knowing an Israeli friend was going to jail for refusing to be in the army and just having to leave all the new friends we made was so hard, especially when we knew they were going to back to a struggle.
What we talked about and how we tried to help in the face of such a long hard conflict seemed small but however small, it was still a step.
Even if it was just the fact that we were all together in the same room, trying, meant something and for that, I hope all the friendships and contacts made on this camp will be maintained and that we will continue fighting for peace.
We live separately but we can march together.
See www.amnesty.ie for more info and action.
By: Orla Price
September 10th marks World Suicide Prevention Day
SpunOut.ie joins worldwide effort to address suicide.
As part of our efforts in addressing the problem of suicide in Irish society, SpunOut.ie will be represented at vigils in Galway, Letterkenny and Dublin as well as on various media outlets throughout the day.
Youth Editor Ian Howley who has a personal experience of attempting suicide will speak about his story on TV3’s Ireland AM programme at 8.40am.
Information on vigils from the Turning the Tide on Suicide Organisation:
"Approximately 600 people die by suicide annually in Ireland. It is a tragedy that devastates families and touches every community.
For the last 3 years, the 3Ts has held a Candlelight Vigil in Dublin to mark World Suicide Prevention Day and this year we are pleased to announce that for World Suicide Prevention Day 2007, we will expand this to hold Candlelight Vigils locally in Galway, Donegal, Wexford and Dublin.
Our Suicide Prevention Candlelight Vigils are for all who have lost family, colleagues and friends through suicide to gather, to light a candle and remember lost loved ones. The vigils also serve to highlight the support of the wider community with special guest speakers, music and a minute’s silence.
3Ts invite you to join us at a choice of venues around the country:
World Suicide Prevention Day Monday 10th September 2007
- Dublin: Bank of Ireland (Forecourt), College Green, Dublin 2 8.00pm to 9.00
- Galway: St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, Market Street, Galway 8.00pm to 9.00pm
- Donegal: Market Square, Letterkenny 9.00pm to 10.00pm
- Wednesday, 12th September 2007
Wexford: The Bull Ring, Wexford 8.00pm to 9.00pm
Admission is free and all are welcome. Candles are supplied."
SpunOut.ie Blog: Electric Picnic
Exactly what the doctor ordered.
SpunOut.ie Office Manager, Susie Quirke relives Electric Picnic for your benefit!
Every nook and cranny you stumble upon feels like entering another mystical, supernatural wonderland. Nothing is spared. Sparkling fairy lights, a giant ferris wheel, ice cream cones, a secret village in the woods, the chapel, giant coloured tents filled with everything you could wish for, not to mention so much kicking music at every turn all the day long.
Loaded up with my two essentials, wellies and legwarmers, it felt as if I was transported back to my childhood for three gorgeous days.
With no responsibilities on my shoulders I took off on a wandering escapade meeting beautiful people and seeing sights to fuel my imagination.
The marvelous thing is opening up the zip of your tent in the morning, gasping for air of course, and seeing all of your best friends surrounding you, knowing that chats and laughter will chase you throughout the day. What else can you possibly ask for? Really though?!
I have come back from Electric Picnic with a fresh fire in my belly for life and it’s exactly what the doctor ordered.
By Susie Q
