WorldWise Global Schools Annual Teacher Conference held in Castletown
The WorldWise Global Schools Annual Teacher Conference was held in the De La Salle Pastoral Centre, in Castletown this week.
The WorldWise Global Schools programme helps to increase young people’s understanding of global justice issues and increase engagement of post-primary school students as active global citizens.
Over 90% of secondary schools in Ireland have participated in this programme.
There were over 100 secondary school teachers from all over Ireland in attendance.
Speaking at the event, Laois TD Sean Fleming, Minister for State said: “I was glad that this event took place in the De La Salle Pastoral Centre in Castletown.
“The centre is a great place to host different retreats and other events like this.
“The secondary school teachers, who attended this event and workshop throughout the day, lead the way in educating young people about these topics and also give young people a space to discuss them.
“The world faces many global challenges such as climate change, famine, earthquakes, water scarcity and much more.
“It is important now more than ever that young people learn about the world around us.”
Rathdowney Eligible for €30,000 Town Centre First Renewal Funding
Rathdowney is now eligible for €30,000 of Government supports to revitalise the town centre, under the Town Centre First (TCF) programme.
Rathdowney has already been part of this programme and has established a Town Team.
As such, the town may now apply for this funding, which is designed help revitalise and rejuvenate the town.
The Government has announced €4.5 million worth of supports, which include supports of up to €50,000 under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme to develop projects in rural towns and villages and breathe new life into these communities.
“This programme gives rural towns the tools and resources they need to make their area a more viable and attractive place to live and work in,” said Laois TD Sean Fleming, Minister for State.
“This is a welcome announcement for Rathdowney and I encourage the Rathdowney Town Team to work with Laois County Council in order to apply as soon as possible.
“Fianna Fáil is committed to supporting rural Ireland and investing in rural towns and villages to make them viable places to live, work and raise a family.”
I Am Number 17 – New campaign highlights the not-so-rare reality of rare diseases
Ian Deegan from County Laois will be part of a new rare disease campaign called ‘I Am Number 17.’
The campaign was initiated and funded by Takeda, a global leader in pharmaceutical research and development, in partnership with Rare Diseases Ireland (RDI) and Rare Ireland.
It features 17 ‘Changemakers’ (individuals from all over Ireland living with a rare disease) who are sharing their stories to promote better understanding and awareness of rare diseases in Ireland.
One of the Changemakers is Laois man, Ian Deegan, who lives with Primary immunodeficiency.
The campaign was was launched in Dublin this week by by Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly:
“I am delighted to launch the ‘I Am Number 17’ campaign,” Deputy Donnelly said.
“This campaign is an important step in raising awareness of rare diseases and recognition that while individually rare, collectively these conditions have significant impact in Irish society.
“I would like to commend the 17 Changemakers here today who are wonderfully captured in the photo exhibition.
“Their individual experiences are so important in fostering a better understanding of these conditions which are far more common than many may think.”
The campaign title, ‘I Am Number 17’, reflects the fact that 1 in 17 people in Ireland will be affected by a rare disease at some point in their lives.
The campaign will spotlight and share the lived experiences of these individuals, putting recognisable and relatable faces to the statistics.
According to the National Rare Diseases Office (NRDO), rare diseases affect around 6% of the population in the Republic of Ireland, accounting for at least 300,000 individuals[1].
Campaign survey reveals lack of understanding but strong interest about rare diseases
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