Minister O'Donnell launches 'Building World Citizenship' Activity Packs for Girl Guides
Ms. Liz O'Donnell, T.D. for Dublin South, and Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, spoke at the launch of the new Activity Packs this morning and praised the initiative to encourage girls to be aware of themselves as individuals, as members of Irish society, and of a global network of communities.
The Activity Packs are designed for 5-21 year olds, and were developed by the Irish Girl Guides and DEFY (Development Education for Youth) as part of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts ‘Building World Citizenship' initiative. Their main aim is to increase awareness among girl guides in Ireland of the issues and challenges facing the developing world and of their understanding of these issues.
“Awareness of human rights and justice issues by young people is as important a part of childrens' education as other academic subjects. Children have a natural sense of justice, fair play and morality which needs to be nurtured. All of us need to be tolerant and respect difference, including minorities in our own country - travellers, refugees and peoples with disabilities,” the Minister said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs funds development education initiatives such as this to the tune of £1m per annum through the NCDE (National Committee for Development Education). The Minister said that the Action Packs will encourage the girl guides to be aware of the difficulties facing the disabled, who live in an environment that we take for granted.
