TY Trip To Knock: Young people were called to action at the launch of the St Vincent De Paul’s schools’ programme at Knock Shrine on 14th September. The participants were urged to use their voices and power to tackle social justice issues. Our TY class took that trip to knock to hear guest speakers, speak for the day. We had to be at school for 7:45 and leave for 8:00. Our bus journey took around an hour and a half. When we got there, we had a quick look around before going inside to hear some guest speakers. We had presentations on social justice issues followed by round table discussions. Speakers on the day included Fr Peter Mc Verry SJ, Joanne O’ Riordan, John Lonergan and Dr Cara Augestenborg.
Fr Peter McVerry, who is well known to many for his work with the homeless, is both an activist and advocate for those who have no voice in society. He gave the students practical suggestions about how to help the homeless including stopping to talk to someone begging on the street.
Dr Cara Augustenborg is Chairperson of Friends of the Earth Ireland, and an environmental scientist who lectures on climate change and the environment on UCD’s MSc programme on World Heritage Management and Conservation. In 2008, she went on the Arctic expedition sponsored by Ben & Jerry’s Climate Change College and the World Wildlife Fund and witnessed the effects of climate change first hand.
She spoke about the recent Electric Picnic in Co Laois and how her organisation tried to help reduce waste. However, many just walked away and left tents and lots of rubbish behind. She emphasised that as an American she can see how beautiful Ireland is, and cannot understand how people can destroy that.
We left around half 4 and got back at 5. We all had a good time and some guest speakers were very inspirational. Fr Peter Mc Very and Joanne O Riordan inspired us all to do better for those in this world of ours.
Fr Peter McVerry, who is well known to many for his work with the homeless, is both an activist and advocate for those who have no voice in society. He gave the students practical suggestions about how to help the homeless including stopping to talk to someone begging on the street.
Dr Cara Augustenborg is Chairperson of Friends of the Earth Ireland, and an environmental scientist who lectures on climate change and the environment on UCD’s MSc programme on World Heritage Management and Conservation. In 2008, she went on the Arctic expedition sponsored by Ben & Jerry’s Climate Change College and the World Wildlife Fund and witnessed the effects of climate change first hand.
She spoke about the recent Electric Picnic in Co Laois and how her organisation tried to help reduce waste. However, many just walked away and left tents and lots of rubbish behind. She emphasised that as an American she can see how beautiful Ireland is, and cannot understand how people can destroy that.
We left around half 4 and got back at 5. We all had a good time and some guest speakers were very inspirational. Fr Peter Mc Very and Joanne O Riordan inspired us all to do better for those in this world of ours.