Event held in Athlone to celebrate young Traveller change makers
An event celebrating young Traveller change makers was held in Athlone's Shamrock Lodge Hotel yesterday (Thursday), as part of Traveller Pride Week.
Traveller Pride Week, held over the course of a fortnight, began on July 3 and is a celebration of the culture, heritage and identity of Travellers.
Yesterday's event in Athlone featured a panel discussion among young Traveller change makers Latisha McCrudden, from Mayo; James Stokes, from Kildare; and Emma Ward from Galway.
The MC for the event was Samantha Joyce, from Kilkenny, who shared some of her inspirational poetry with those in attendance.
The discussion was designed to not only celebrate the panellists' achievements but also to instil pride and hope among young Travellers that they too can achieve great things despite the many additional barriers they encounter.
Emma Ward said: "I'm a very passionate Irish Traveller and wheelchair user activist for both communities, and I genuinely believe that the voices of young Irish Travellers should be listened to because they have so many great opinions and ideas on how to get fairer rights and opportunities that will help make this country easier to live in if they only were listened to!
"My motivation to help bring about positive change for our community, and to speak up for young people in the hopes of assisting them in making positive changes in their lives, is what inspires me to be a change maker."
James Stokes said: "I'm a young Irish Traveller. I believe change is possible and I want to be a part of it, through local and national activism. I want to be a part of the change for young Travellers heading into the future."
Latisha McCrudden commented: "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter. I hope to make a change to my future and other important issues I believe in."
Traveller Pride Week is funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and coordinated by the national Traveller organisations consisting of the National Traveller MABS, the Irish Traveller Movement, Involve Youth and Community Services, Pavee Point, the Parish of the Travelling People, Exchange House Ireland, Minceirs Whiden and the National Traveller Women’s Forum.