Building Vibrant Communities: lessons from home and abroad at LIT -Thurles
The Department of Applied Social Sciences at LIT is delighted to invite you to a discussion evening at its Thurles campus on Friday, June 19, based around the theme of Building Vibrant Communities. The event will commence at 7.30p.m.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 Mr. 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 -Timmy Hammersely (a former Tipperary hurler). The Clonoulty Rosmore 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 with Timmy) 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 Ms Cathy Jones, Head of Department of Applied Social Sciences at LIT. The admission is free – but those attending can make a voluntary donation to The Palestine Summer Encounter Project being undertaken by Timmy Hammersely. LIT is delighted to be collaborating with Timmy and wishes him every success in his youth work project in the West Bank. A large crowd is expected given the interesting theme and the calibre of speakers. All are welcome to the LIT Thurles conference centre on June 19th at 7.30pm.
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Contact Dr. Michael Ryan michaelfrancis.ryan@lit.ie (phone 086-0631351) or Timmy Hammersely (086-1029158) timmyhammersley@hotmail.com
