European Green Party to hold International Summer Camp for Young Greens in Drumshanbo

In an effort to bolster cross-cultural understanding and foster discussions on international relations, the Green Party has organised a summer camp at Drumshanbo's Lough Allen Centre.

With the support of the European Green Party, this event will bring together 35 young participants from Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales, along with guests from Norway, Belgium, Denmark, and Austria.

At the core of this endeavour is local Green Party member Adam Ó Ceallaigh, who also serves as the International Officer within the Irish Young Greens (Óige Ghlas). Adam is the grandson of the late Paddy and Betty McManus of High Street, Drumshanbo.

Local Green Party members, including chairperson of the North West Greens, Bláithín Gallagher,; Johnny Gogan, Agnieszka Piwowarczyk, and Leslie O'Hora, will also be in attendance.

Óige Ghlas is the youth wing of the Green Party. They believe in social and economic justice focusing on a just transition to a more sustainable future that includes everyone. As a youth branch, they also prioritise issues that affect young people disproportionately including education, housing, drug use, and reproductive rights.

The Green Party holds a unique position in politics as a true international party which is fuelled by grassroots activism. The core value that all Green Party’s stand for is the creation of a society that is respectful of human rights and built upon the values of environmental responsibility, freedom, justice, diversity and non-violence.

The camp's schedule includes workshops, discussions, and collaborative activities with people like Ross Greer (Member of the Scottish Parliament) and Lesley Veronica (Deputy Leader of Green Party Northern Ireland). Participants will delve into the historical and political facets of the Good Friday Agreement while simultaneously immersing themselves in the surroundings of Drumshanbo.

Ó Ceallaigh emphasised, "This camp presents an avenue for young individuals to uncover and cherish the distinctive nature of our town and region, often overlooked. Witnessing numerous young minds engage with Drumshanbo and Leitrim is inspiring and I look forward to seeing more of this in the future."

In a world increasingly defined by interconnectivity, initiatives like the European Green Party Funded Summer Camp serve as pragmatic steps to foster unity, understanding, and a collective vision for a more promising future. The camp's emphasis on substantive dialogues, genuine connections, and the appreciation of local culture resonates with the broader Green Party goal of creating sustainable communities.