While others nation seem to be looking inwards, turning their backs on the world – Ireland is stepping up.
Back in June, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar revealed plans to double Ireland’s ‘global footprint’ with more investment going towards the fight against extreme poverty and empowering people living in the world’s poorest countries.
Irish ONE members have played a huge role in highlighting the incredible work that Irish overseas aid does around the world and asking the government to take a leadership role.
Here are the 3 things ONE members across the country have been doing:
1. Standing up for Irish Aid
We asked ONE members across the country to stand up and show their commitment to Irish funding in the fight against extreme poverty. Hundreds of ONE members used their voice, including Dustin The Turkey!
I am proud to support @Irish_Aid + I’m joining @ONECampaign in standing up for it. Please join me → https://t.co/D0IbHQWLYi
— Dustin The Turkey (@DustinOfficial) August 7, 2018
2. Making our voices heard
The announcement of a “public consultation” on how the government spends its overseas aid by Simon Coveney, T.D., Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Mr. Ciarán Cannon, T.D., Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, gave us a great opportunity to step up and make our voices heard.
ONE members sent over 100 official submissions to the public consultation and turned up (in force!) at events in Dublin, Cork, and Limerick to show the government how strongly we want to see this commitment.
ONE has joined @simoncoveney on his home turf in #Cork as he kicks off the 1st @Irish_Aid public consultation meeting. We’re excited to see how the evening develops!#TransformOurWorld #IrishAidWorks pic.twitter.com/FMOt6dDvQa
— ONE Ireland (@ONEinIreland) September 13, 2018
3. Meeting with those in power to make a difference
Politics isn’t a spectator sport. It’s our duty to show those in power what we believe and what we’d like them to do.
We were honoured to be hosted in Leinster House by Brendan Smith TD, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and meet with so many fantastic TDs.
Our Youth Ambassadors chatted with them about the importance of effective spending overseas and their own personal passion for a better world.
Thank you to all our TD’s and Ministers @McHughJoeTD @ciarancannon @MichealMartinTD who came to support and listen to the voice of young advocates about a future with no poverty and equality for all. @ONEinIreland pic.twitter.com/asOorjctCE
— Ornella Nana (@NanaOrnella) November 22, 2018
Thank you @ciarancannon & Ruairi De Búrca for meeting with #ONEYouth18 today @dfatirl. So pleased to see your enthusiasm and commitment to ensuring the young people of Ireland play an important role in the future of @Irish_Aid! pic.twitter.com/6aXN9albzn
— ONE Ireland (@ONEinIreland) November 21, 2018
Today, @MichealMartinTD met with Youth Ambassadors from @ONEinIreland as they campaign to combat global poverty.
The organisation encourages education, and the advocacy of development programmes, to change the lives of millions of people in the world’s poorest countries. pic.twitter.com/5QM6Sw2IOd
— Fianna Fáil (@fiannafailparty) November 21, 2018
