Up & Coming
Check back soon for up and coming events. Meanwhile, you can read a review of our 2006 Pamojaongoing Pamoja programme, as well as anything else that's in the pipeline in our Education Unit.
Review of Pamoja Human Rights Summer School 2006
This years summer school ran from August 13th to August 15th. 23 students descended on Maynooth from all over the country, where they spent 3 days exploring human rights issues through the overarching theme of freedom of expression. The summer school was a fantastic event. The students arrived on Sunday the 13th and once they had settled in, they launched straight into workshops ranging from the role of international law to campaigning.
This year Trocaire was again privileged to have inspiring guest speakers. Charm Tong is a human rights activist from Burma. Charm Tong is 22 years old, and already has had a huge impact in the world of international diplomacy. She recently won a Reebok human rights award for her work in exposing human rights abuses inflicted by the Burmise military junta. She has tirelessly worked on raising awareness around the injustices existing within Burma and in the past year alone George Bush and Jack Straw are among those honoured to have met with her.
Charm Tong delivered a powerful message to the young people present at the summer camp and it is safe to say that the students participating were immensely moved by the stories that she shared with them. In fact, so enthusiastic were the students, that they made their own short video that will be sent over to the students that Charm Tong works with, who are living in exile on the border with Burma. This video is a message of solidarity for all those young people who have been forced to leave their homes by the military junta.
On Monday evening Prof. Wilhelm Verwoerd addressed the students. Prof. Verwoerd currently co ordinates the ‘Former Combatants Programme’ at the Glencree Centre for Reconciliation based in Co.Wicklow. Holding a doctorate of Philosophy Prof Verwoerd previously was a lecturer at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. He further served as a researcher on the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission and he has authored, co-authored and edited a number of books and articles.
Prof. Verwoerd brought a unique personal perspective to the subject matter. He is the grandson of Hendrik Verwoerd, the assassinated South African prime minister (1958-1966) who is regarded as the "architect of the apartheid state." Wilhelm turned his back on his grandfather's policies and the racist ideology he had grown up with, and joined the African National Congress, the country's primary anti-apartheid organization. Prof. Verwoerd shared his experiences and very personal self-discovery with the students in his own unique and amiable style. This story combined with Charm Tongs account of her experiences in Burma gave the students a context upon which to explore their own views and experiences around freedom of expression.
The students went on to explore freedom of expression through a number of
sub-themes. The culmination of their work came when they were given the opportunity
to present their views to their peers and to Trocaire staff members and guest
speakers. Roll on summer school 2007!
So what did the students themselves think? In their own words…
' It is a great way to learn about other cultures, other peoples' hardships
and survival, and to meet new people'.
'Fantastic, I learned so much and had fun all the time'.
' It was a brilliant experience. Everyone was so friendly and I made some great new friends'.
'I would hope that next year the Pamoja Summer School will last for about a week'.
'I'd love to do this again and become a permanent campaigner for human rights'.
Click here to visit our Pamoja website
