WIP Alumni shaping opinion in the Irish Times
Clare Herbert (WIP08) and Daithi de Buitleir (WIP11) have had opinion pieces published by the Irish Times over the last two days.
Clare’s article entitled: “Young people doing it for themselves” promotes the new narrative of young people in Ireland creating new opportunities and striving to make Ireland a better place. Here is a sample of her piece:
“There are two main story lines when it comes to the under 30s:
1) They’re emigrating
2) They’re drunken louts, brazenly benefiting from the education system but characterized by an indignant sense of entitlement and a disdain for hard work: the hideously dubbed “Celtic Tiger Cubs”.
Both, of course, are true to some extent. But, there’s another group; a story left untold: the cohort of under 30s who choose to stay in Ireland, of which I am one.”
Daithi’s article entitled: “Young people need to be engaged, equipped and empowered” is a manifesto statement on behalf of Daithi’s new initiative Raising and Giving. Outlining their achievements so for, Daithi writes:
“We have really made good progress. What started off as a simple idea has really blossomed; we now have over 600 members who are working out of our two hubs of activity in Dublin City University and the University of Limerick. We have people who were not doing anything to improve their communities and country who are now positively active and promoting change. They are fundraising, volunteering, establishing social enterprises and setting up community initiatives. They are proud to be Irish but not happy with Ireland and they are keen to do something about this.”
You can check out the full article here.
Also mentioned in today’s Irish Times is Angelina Cox (WIP11), who is quoted in “Recession is wake-up call to get involved in politics” about increasing engagement from young people in political parties.
