UNA-NI is a member of CADA, the Coalition of Aid and Development Agencies Northern Ireland and each year since 2019, CADA has organised a week-long festival to highlight particular themes.
This year’s theme focuses on how climate change impacts on people around the world. It also aims to promote greater understanding of issues that affect the lives of the poorest people and inspires action in local communities towards a just, peaceful and sustainable world.
UNA-NI invited Emer Rafferty to be the guest speaker at the Derry event.
Hosted by the Principal, staff and students of Oakgrove Integrated College in the Waterside, the Principal and students from Lisneal College and a representative of St. Cecilia’s College were also welcomed to the event.
Emer is a second-year chemical engineering student at Queen’s University in Belfast. She is also the youngest director of the EcoJustice Ireland organisation and was selected by the Education Authority (EA) to attend the One Young World Festival which was held in Belfast in early October 2023.
Her presentation was based on her own experiences at that festival, including the workshops and discussions by a wide range of speakers.
She also encouraged the students to act locally, no matter how modestly they may feel that their contribution to reducing climate action may seem.
Reference was made to the importance of using music, poetry and art in order to raise awareness of the climate and ecological crisis.
Speaking on behalf of UNA-NI, a spokesperson said: “We are very pleased that Derry has featured in this year’s One World Festival, especially as it follows close on the accolade of the city being awarded UN International City of Peace.
"While we thank all those who attended the event from three local schools and representatives from CADA, we wish to thank Mr. John Harkin, the Principal of Oakgrove Integrated College, for his considerable support in hosting this event.”
1. Some of the guests at Oakgrove Integrated College.
Some of the guests at Oakgrove Integrated College. Photo: JMcC
2. Mr. John Harkin, Principal, Oakgrove Integrated College pictured with guest speaker, Emer Rafferty, a delegate from the 'One Young World Summit 2023' who gave a talk to students from Oakgrove and Lisneal Colleges at the school. Included from left are Oakgrove students Daire Jackson, Ellie McMichael, Head Girl, Omar Musa and Martin Cassidy.
Mr. John Harkin, Principal, Oakgrove Integrated College pictured with guest speaker, Emer Rafferty, a delegate from the 'One Young World Summit 2023' who gave a talk to students from Oakgrove and Lisneal Colleges at the school. Included from left are Oakgrove students Daire Jackson, Ellie McMichael, Head Girl, Omar Musa and Martin Cassidy. Photo: JMcC
3. Emer Rafferty, a delegate from the 'One Young World Summit 2023' who gave a talk to students from Oakgrove and Lisneal Colleges at the school.
Emer Rafferty, a delegate from the 'One Young World Summit 2023' who gave a talk to students from Oakgrove and Lisneal Colleges at the school. Photo: JMcC
4. Mr. John Harkin, Principal, Oakgrove Integrated College welcomes guest speaker, Emer Rafferty, a delegate from the 'One Young World Summit 2023' who gave a talk to students from Oakgrove and Lisneal Colleges. Included from left are Ellie McMichael, Head Girl, Carol Conlin, chair, UNA, Patricia Irvine, UNA, Ruth Taillon, UNA, Maria McLaughlin and Seamus O'Gorman, One World Festival and Daire Jackson. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)
Mr. John Harkin, Principal, Oakgrove Integrated College welcomes guest speaker, Emer Rafferty, a delegate from the 'One Young World Summit 2023' who gave a talk to students from Oakgrove and Lisneal Colleges. Included from left are Ellie McMichael, Head Girl, Carol Conlin, chair, UNA, Patricia Irvine, UNA, Ruth Taillon, UNA, Maria McLaughlin and Seamus O'Gorman, One World Festival and Daire Jackson. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography) Photo: JMcC