The youth event was hosted by Coiste, and many of the participants where Ógra activists.
The clár for the weekend included a talk on ‘A Century of Republican Youth’, with Daniel Jack and Barry McColgan delivering the talk.
Daniel spoke about the first republican youth movement Na Fianna Éireann, its foundation, ethos and evolution as an organization in various phases of the republican struggle. Barry linked Na Fianna to the modern day republican youth movement Ógra Shinn Féin, stating their objectives and inspirations where the same and young republicans will always play a vital role in ensuring any struggle remains rooted, relevant and revitalized.
There was also a workshop on the role that young people can play today in enhancing their communities, and outreaching to unionism, in a process of nation building.
Following a night of craic agus ceol, the Saturday morning began early with a talk by former Basque POW Inaki de Juana.
Inaki spent over 20 years in a Spanish prison, and whilst imprisoned embarked on a Hungerstrike for 114 days, protesting a Spanish attempt to not release him from prison.
He spoke about his life, as a prisoner, and about the Basque struggle, and also talked about the Basque youth movements, and the success of these movements to educate and mobilize thousands of young people onto the streets. This in particular created a lot of questions and debate.
The weekend ended with a tour of the Antrim coast, taking in many historical sights of interest.
Speaking on a successful weekend, Ógra spokesperson Kerry McColgan said,
There was also a workshop on the role that young people can play today in enhancing their communities, and outreaching to unionism, in a process of nation building.
Following a night of craic agus ceol, the Saturday morning began early with a talk by former Basque POW Inaki de Juana.
Inaki spent over 20 years in a Spanish prison, and whilst imprisoned embarked on a Hungerstrike for 114 days, protesting a Spanish attempt to not release him from prison.
He spoke about his life, as a prisoner, and about the Basque struggle, and also talked about the Basque youth movements, and the success of these movements to educate and mobilize thousands of young people onto the streets. This in particular created a lot of questions and debate.
The weekend ended with a tour of the Antrim coast, taking in many historical sights of interest.
Speaking on a successful weekend, Ógra spokesperson Kerry McColgan said,
“Weekends like these are extremely beneficial for educating activists and it also allows young people to develop and to enhance their confidence. It is evident at these events that young people develop, and the level of debate and discussion was a credit to the organizers and the youth present. All talks, tours and workshops where very interesting and everyone had a brilliant time, more determined to go back to their areas and implement the ideas and utilize the skills learned and enhanced at the weekend.”
1 comment:
What a great resource!
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