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Young People 'Claiming Our Future'
October 30th event on the choices we face.
Everyone agrees that Ireland needs fixing and a new event aims to breathe life into the debate about how this can happen.
Earlier this week, we spoke to Aoife Price from the Union of Secondary School Students, who is involved in the organising.
Here's what she had to say:
SpunOut.ie: So what's this all about?
Aoife: Earlier this year Is Feider Linn, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the Environmental Pillar of Social Partnership, the Community Platform, Social Justice Ireland and Tasc began a series of meetings to explore how to best cooperate and coordinate endeavours for a more equal, inclusive and sustainable future.
SpunOut.ie: What happened then?
Aoife: From these initial discussions, the group became wider and more of civil society became involved, including trade unions, student groups, youth groups, environmental groups, community groups, migrant worker organisations, developing world groups, rural networks, women’s organisations, disability groups, arts groups, social media and social justice organisations.
SpunOut.ie: So was it just about discussing things?
Aoife: No. It was decided that something had to be done to let everyone communicate with each other and make change happen. ‘Claiming Our Future’ will allow this to happen through local and national events.
SpunOut.ie: Tell us more about Claiming Our Future?
Aoife: ‘Claiming Our Future’ is a national event that will take place in the RDS Dublin on the 30th of October 2010. It is hoped that 1000 people will participate in it. The event will be a chance for all the different sectors of civil society to come together and to stake our claim to Ireland’s future.
SpunOut.ie: Tell us more about local groups?
Aoife: In the run up to this event, there are going to be local groups set up all over Ireland. These groups will create an opportunity for everyone in the country to have an input and for their voices to be heard.
SpunOut.ie: How would you describe the main motivation behind it?
Aoife: We are organising this event because we are deeply dissatisfied with, and concerned about, the current direction of Government policy in response to the economic recession. We do not accept that there is no alternative to these policies. There are choices to be made and it is essential that we stand as one to acknowledge the importance of these choices. We need to create the space to advance an alternative response to the economic recession. This event and the run up to it will do just that.
SpunOut.ie: Is there a role for young people in all of this?
Aoife: It is essential young people are involved in every step of this process. Young people will play a major role in the local groups and the national event. The importance of their input and participation at both local and national level in ‘Claiming Our Future’ will be truly valued.
SpunOut.ie: How can people find out more?
For more information and to find out how you can get involved with ‘Claiming Our Future’ contact me at aprice@issu.ie
