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Foreword
The establishment of the UNESCO Chair in Children, Youth & Civic Engagement, the first to be awarded in the Republic of Ireland, will bring together University based research centres and national and international organisations with a shared goal of promoting civic engagement and leadership skills among children and youth.
Part of the UNESCO University Education and Twinning Scheme (UNITWIN), the Chair has commenced delivering a comprehensive programme of work with the objective of promoting civic engagement for children and youth by providing relevant expertise in research, teaching, policy and good practice. The Chair will focus on an exchange of learning among national and international University partners and affiliated centres and organisations working with and for children and youth. The Chair will work closely with the only other UNESCO Chair on the island of Ireland, based in the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland, and with a range of national and international partners.
In achieving our objectives I am particularly pleased to work with two key national partners: the Community Knowledge Initiative (CKI) at National University of Ireland Galway, a forum through which the University plays a leading role in the development of civic leadership skills in students; and Foróige, a national youth development organisation providing informal education and social development skills to youth in Ireland.
Ultimately whereas the Chair’s activities will centre on research, teaching, policy and advocacy, and programmatic development and quality assurance, proof of our success will be at a more basic level. Most importantly, if as a result of the UNESCO programme on Children Youth and Civic Engagement it can be proven that younger people are more active and engaged citizens in their community, with enhanced social support networks and greater resilience, and have increased opportunities to realise their rights then the journey will have been well worthwhile. In the words of Charles Dickens every child deserves “Great Expectations” and should experience life in the mode of John McGahern as ‘precious’ and with ‘calm journeys’ through each day.
Professor Pat Dolan
Chairholder - UNESCO Chair for Children,
Youth and Civic Engagement
March 2009
• Lanuch of the UNESCO Chair in Children, Youth and Civic Engagement
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