Global Citizen Award Ceremony sees NUI Galway Student Volunteers Recognised

06/04/2017

The EIL Global Education Committee presents the 2017 Global Citizen Award Ceremony on Saturday 8th April from 2pm in the Banquet Hall, Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin.  The 2017 recipients have volunteered in a range of countries through Irish Volunteer Sending partners. The successful NUI Galway student volunteer awardees were trained, hosted and supported to volunteer overseas by EIL and Nurture Africa. Initiated by EIL Intercultural Learning, the Global Citizen Award (GCA) is sponsored by Irish Aid and supported by twenty-one partner organisations. The award is recognised by Comhlámh and IDEA.

The afternoon will honour the hard work of the international volunteers, Seán Devny, Cormac Pope and Aisling Miller, who will be receiving their Bronze, Gold and Gold Global Citizen Awards respectively. The ceremony aims to highlight each winner's achievement and dedication to raising awareness here in Ireland of global issues. The work of GCA partner Volunteer Sending Agencies will also be showcased on the day. 

Dónal Kearney of VOCALiSM will begin the ceremony with a workshop on 'Advocacy & Story'. Exploring vocal technique, breathing, storytelling and collaborative skills, empowering participants to better advocate for others. Michael Doorly, Head of Active Citizenship in Concern Worldwide will deliver the keynote speech on the day. Michael trained as a secondary school teacher and has worked in a number of countries including Trinidad, Papua New Guinea, Canada and Tanzania. He has been with Concern Worldwide for the past 23 years and until recently served as the Chair of Fairtrade Ireland.

Lorraine Tansey, GCA Awards and Conferring Committee member and NUI Galway Student Volunteer Coordinator said, “We are delighted to partner GCA because this award has a very important message. It activates returned volunteers to connect with local communities through projects and reflective blogs. Through this full circle approach volunteers can truly remain connected in solidarity with their overseas partners, building on the learning and intercultural experience.”

More at NUI Galway Press Office

For further information contact Áine Ní Éalaí Global Citizen Award Coordinator at EIL Intercultural Learning: +353 (0)21 4551535, aine@globalcitizenaward.ie 

Website: www.globalcitizenaward.ie or http://www.eilireland.org/

EIL Intercultural Learning is an Irish not for profit organisation which provides intercultural learning opportunities through study abroad, volunteer abroad, language training, travel awards, group educational programmes, and other cultural immersion activities for about 2,000 people each year. In 2014 year the organisation celebrated 50 years in Ireland.