Building vibrant communities conference at lit thurles
The Department of Applied Social Sciences at LIT are hosting a discussion evening at its Thurles campus this Friday, June 19th, based around the theme of Building Vibrant Communities.
The event will commence at 7.30pm and will feature some of Ireland’s most successful sporting professionals who have contributed in a significant way to community building vibrant communities at home and abroad.
They include current Tipperary hurling manager, Dr. Eamon O’Shea, who has completed significant research at NUIG around the theme of older people in the community. It will also feature Tony Griffin, former Clare hurler, who has founded the SOAR foundation for youth empowerment, and Alan Kerins – former Galway GAA star, who has developed many community building projects in Africa.
The speakers will also include Paul Keating – programme leader for the BA (Honours) Degree in Social and Community Studies Programme at LIT –Thurles. Paul has worked in community development for almost 20 years in Ireland, in East Africa and in The Balkans. The line-up will also feature Ainle O Caireallain from Belfast, who was the Cork Senior Football trainer in 2014. Ainle will speak about growing up in a segregated community during the Northern troubles.
The conference theme has been developed by LIT in collaboration with youth worker and former Tipperary senior hurler, Timmy Hammersely. The Clonoulty/Rossmore man has been selected for a summer project with marginalised youth in the West Bank in Palestine this Summer, through The Palestine Summer Encounter Project. Timmy’s work will involve youth development through sport and recreational activities.
Dr. Michael Ryan, Department of Applied Social Studies in LIT and co-organiser of the discussion evening, said: “The discussion evening is most relevant to an Ireland where rural communities have been greatly challenged by economic recession but possibly an Irish society ready to reflect on the lessons learned.”
The discussion evening will be officially opened by Cathy Jones, Head of Department of Applied Social Sciences at LIT. Admission is free – but those attending can make a voluntary donation to The Palestine Summer Encounter Project being undertaken by Timmy Hammersely.