Tipp winners in environment awareness competition

Winners of 2023 Trócaire Game Changers competition announced as innovative students and young people tackle justice issues through play

Talented young people from Co Tipperary this week scooped an award at the 2023 Trócaire Game Changers competition, with an innovative entry raising awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the world around us.

Youth Work Ireland, Cashel Youth Project in Tipperary grabbed second place in the youth category with their game ‘Unjustified’ which explored the SDGs and gender equality.

There were 223 entries from all over Ireland in the competition. Only 26 board, digital and card games - based on different themes including climate change, gender equality and education, refugee journeys and ocean pollution – made it through to the finals in the Helix Center in Dublin.

Trócaire Game Changers is an annual competition run by the Development Education team, who run workshops in schools and youth groups across the country teaching students and young people about global justice issues.

The programme invited students to create a development education game that focuses on one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students played and judged the games of fellow finalists at the event.

Cate O’Connor, a youth worker with the Cashel Youth Project, said, “The game was loosely based on a combination of Cluedo and Trivial Pursuit and aimed to raise-awareness of gender equality issues around the world. We have had a long relationship with Trócaire and have received a lot of support from them. Game Changers is a great tool that enables young people to explore these important topics.”

Trócaire’s Director of Ireland Programmes, Gwen Dempsey, said at the event: “One of Trόcaire’s aims is to connect, engage and mobilise people to act together for change. Game Changers and The Right Focus are a perfect example of this. All of the young people who have taken part in this programme not only learn about global justice issues themselves but also become peer educators. The quality of the games and documentaries they created was outstanding.

“By working together we can bring about real and positive lasting change and the amazing interest these young people have shown in issues of social justice is both humbling and heartening. I would urge others to find out more about Game Changers and The Right Focus by visiting www.trocaire.org.”