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SpunOut.ie at the Forum on Resilience
Volunteer voice: Meeting the President.
Earlier this year, I received a very exciting email from Emily at the Spunout team, who passed on an invite to me for a ‘Forum on Resilience’ with President Mary McAleese. When I first read Emily’s email I could barely believe it, having been a long time admirer of the President’s work. I was delighted at the opportunity to represent SpunOut.ie.
The Forum, ‘Resilience in Tough Times – Civic Society’s Response’ took place at Áras an Uachtaráin, and focused on highlighting and encouraging local community efforts in the tough times we are living in. On 29th January therefore, myself and another young representative, Andrew Smith, found ourselves in the President’s house with William from Spunout.
Representatives of local community and voluntary organisations nationwide attended to listen to presentations on various organisations including SpunOut.ie and to contribute ideas and share information about overcoming social problems through community based action.
The Forum began with a powerful introduction from President McAleese on the times we are living in and the powerful contribution of agents of change in their community. She stressed the importance of civic engagement as a way of connecting communities and individuals, as well as a way of maintaining a positive outlook for building resistance.
Each of the representatives of the organisations who had the opportunity to present an overview of their work emphasised creative and community based solutions to overcoming social problems. William from SpunOut gave a brilliant presentation on the national work of the organisation.
In these bleak times, it was refreshing and inspiring to listen to contributions from a diverse range of organisations. I found it very comforting that I wasn’t alone in believing the media should be held more accountable for their over-representation of negative stories. While it may be the case that we humans take solace in sharing misery, the continual bombardment of negative stories stifles the capacity to feel hope and optimism in the world in which we live.
The Forum provided a glimpse into the great work carried out by many in their local communities, which goes largely unthanked and ignored by the national media. The key messages communicated were ones of continual hope and positive thinking in the face of any challenges posed.
I also got to hear about the work carried out by so many people on a local level in the West of Ireland during the floods. Again, this was work I was unaware of before the forum. It touched me as a strong example of the resourcefulness of local communities and the old phrase, the ‘power of strength in numbers’.
President McAleese finished the Forum with an unforgettable summing up and reinforcement of the message that civic engagement is key to building resilience during difficult times. On a personal level, her powerful words reminded me that it is too easy to fall into the trap of feeling hopeless when the world presented to you appears full of despair and deceit. By tapping into our hopes and dreams, humanity, creativity and strength we unleash a personal power that can help ourselves, our communities and our society to overcome any adversity presented.
By getting active about something we feel passionate about we can build both personal and community resilience, reclaiming the power that so often feels far removed from our lives and instead tied up in society’s institutions.
By: Annette Carter
Listen to Mary singing SpunOut’s praises (from about minute 18).
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