Remarks by MoS Ciarán Cannon, TD, 2020 Our World Irish Aid Awards Launch

Dia dhaoibh a pháistí agus a mhúinteoirí. Is cúis áthais dom a bheith anseo i nGaillimh le haghaidh Gradam Chúnamh Éireann Ár nDomhan 2020.

It gives me great pleasure to be here in Carrabane National School to launch the Our World Irish Aid Awards 2020. This is the 15th year of the Awards run by Irish Aid, Ireland’s official overseas aid programme.

Firstly, I wish to thank your principal, Mr. Gerard Murray, and your teacher, Mr. Brian Mahony, for welcoming me here today. I wish to acknowledge the achievements of Mr. Mahony, whose 6th class pupils participated in the Awards last year. You have shown as young Irish citizens that you care about creating a better world for all the world’s children and that you are interested in learning about global issues.

We live in a beautiful, interconnected world, which is full of opportunities, richness and diversity for children of your age.

We all share one planet and every country and everyone must work together to create a better world, to protect the environment, and ensure a better future for all children everywhere.

As you can see from our magazine, this year’s theme is A Better World. The magazine and the lesson plans will help you learn how you can create this better world.

The Irish Aid programme, which is put in place by the Government on behalf of every Irish citizen, is playing its part to contribute to a better world by helping children and their families to fight hunger, poverty, inequality and climate change. Ireland’s aid programme is regarded internationally as one of the best in the world.

You are contributing to the work of Irish Aid by learning about these global issues. We want young people like you to find out about the United Nations Development Goals and the work of Irish Aid and to tell other people.

Indeed, Greta Thunberg, who is the youngest ever recipient of TIME magazine’s person of the year, gave the inspiring message that “one person is never too small to make a difference”.

I’m sure that you are all looking forward to taking part in this year’s Our World Irish Aid Awards with the theme of A Better World. We want to hear your ideas about how we can create a better, fairer and safer world for all children, now and in the future.

Tá an leabhrán ar fáil trí Ghaeilge agus na leathanaigh idirlín leis, agus, dar ndóigh, cuireann muid fáilte roimh iarratais trí Ghaeilge freisin.

I wish you the very best of luck with your projects. I’m sure that you’ll learn a lot and come up with great ideas, as well as have a lot of fun along the way!