The Global Solidarity Hub returned to the National Ploughing Championships for the third consecutive year. GOAL, Trócaire, Dóchas Worldview, Self Help Africa, Sightsavers Ireland and Brighter Communities Worldwide provided attendees with a chance to experience the work of Irish NGOs in the space of agriculture, disability inclusion, sustainability and imagery through interactive and diverse methods.
Background
The National Ploughing Championships 2025 took place at Screggan, Co Offaly, bringing together leading practitioners working for the advancement of global social justice in Ireland, who came together once again under the banner of the Global Solidarity Hub.
This year, Minister for International Development Neale Richmond opened the Hub on the inaugral morning, commending the work being done by Hub members. By fostering dialogue and solidarity, the Hub bridges the gap between local and global concerns, encouraging the attendees to see themselves as part of a broader movement for change.
The Hub in Context
Dóchas CEO Jane-Ann McKenna said the Hub provides an important opportunity for people to reflect on global challenges at a local event:
“The Hub presents three days full of interactive exhibitions and activities that inspire, question and challenge people’s perceptions about some of the biggest issues facing the world today, like conflict, hunger and sustainable development. We were delighted to have Minister Neale Richmond open it.
As the impact of the aid cuts by the US, UK and other European countries becomes more evident, it is vitally important to showcase the life-saving work being done by Irish humanitarian organisations on the ground.”
Organisation Activitations
Trócaire:
Trócaire’s activation is designed to engage visitors in interactive, thought-provoking and family-friendly ways while showing how global solidarity is more important than ever in these uncertain times.
Activities included Trócaire’s Climate Myth Busters, an interactive wall challenging assumptions about climate change through facts and myths. Trócaire also had their new ODA Scratch Cards on offer, where visitors could reveal stories about the impact of overseas development assistance on climate action and healthcare. Artivism was also available where children create placards of solidarity for Salah, a Somalian farmer benefiting from sustainable practices.
Sightsavers Ireland:
Sightsavers had their Virtual Reality technology ready for use by the public, where attendees could experience first-hand a day in the lives of people with disabilities in Sierra Leone. The three-minute experience provides an opportunity for members of the public to deepen their understanding and solidarity with people with disabilities using VR technology.
Braille Bricks were also on hand. Braille Bricks look like Lego, but with a subtle difference: the studs on each brick spell out letters in the braille alphabet. The aim is to help blind children learn to read and write by piecing together the characters to form words. The bricks can also be used by children without visual impairments, so both groups can play and learn together. The bricks provided an opportunity for Hub attendees to understand more about living with visual impairments.
Dóchas – Worldview:
Worldview displayed images taken from Dóchas members’ campaigns, to gauge the public’s reactions to INGO imagery. The images depicted people of various ages, genders, and contexts, and captured a wide array of emotions. Visitors were asked to vote for their favourite image; from images of a mother teaching her children to read, girls laughing together, or boys playing football in a schoolyard, meaning the public can connect with everyday experiences they also have
Visitors were also asked to share their ‘Worldview’, on the Worldview post-it notes, offering an opportunity to reflect on the world and their place in it. Responses included: ‘More peace, less war, and no corruption‘ (13 year old, County Carlow), ‘Everyone should have equal opportunities in life, regardless of age, gender, religion,etc‘ (26 year old, County Dublin) and ‘My worldview is that Ireland is very lucky and developed but I want to share this with others‘ (15 year old, County Clare).
GOAL
GOAL NextGen brought their public engagement tool, Cards for Humanity, to the Ploughing. Cards for Humanity is a thought-provoking card game designed to spark meaningful conversations. Unlike traditional party games, Cards for Humanity asks players to explore shared values, memories, and hopes for the future through simple, thought-provoking prompts. The public could also share their thoughts and hopes for what a better world looks like.
Attendees also had the opportunity to explore farming tools from GOAL’s country programmes, showcasing diverse agricultural methods used around the world.
Brighter Communities Worldwide:
Brighter Communities Worldwide brought various innovative solutions they have created and implemented in Kenya, including their model of a healthy homestead. The model of a healthy homestead showcases the story of BCW’s climate change ambassadors in Kenya – a community-led initiative to equip local volunteers with the knowledge and skills to help households adapt to the changing climate. The public could learn about some of BCW’s innovative solutions, which resonated deeply with rural Irish communities facing similar environmental and social challenges. The activities and exhibition included:
- Smokeless Stove: A model of a smokeless stove that reduces respiratory illnesses and uses less firewood than traditional open fires. It’s a vital tool for improving health and reducing deforestation.
- Improved Pit Latrine: This model demonstrated how better sanitation can control diseases and improve health, a key issue in many rural areas worldwide.
- Tippy Tappy: A simple yet effective handwashing station used in areas without running water. It showcased the importance of hygiene and water conservation.
- Reusable Sanitary Kits: These kits promote hygiene, dignity, and gender equality for women and girls, while also reducing waste—a critical issue in many rural regions
Self Help Africa:
Self Help Africa brought their #DontForget campaign to the Ploughing. The campaign highlights the importance of international development aid during times of crises.
Self Help brought Lightfoot the Elephant, a symbol of the DontForget campaign. Lightfoot reminds us of the importance of international development aid: even as it comes under threat globally, Ireland continues to prioritise it. Lightfoot was used as part of a don’t forget memory game and elephant arts and crafts activities for Ploughing attendees.
Self Help also brought a wide variety of different types of crops they use and promote in their work. This provides Ploughing attendees the opportunity to learn about and engage with different types of agricultural practices used around the world.
Key Takeaways
Through collaboration, the GSH was able to deliver engaging and relevant programming, capturing the attention of a large volume of Ploughing visitors, over 6,100 attendees. While the challenges of competing for attention with other events and organisations, and tailoring messages to specific audiences were present, the creative approaches to engagement, including interactive art, virtual reality, and live discussions, ensured a meaningful connection with participants. Despite the turbulent year for the NGO sector, with protracted international funding cuts, the Hub presented an opportunity for the sector to unite and work together to showcase the breadth of Irish Aid’s unwavering support for international development. Moving forward, the Hub will build on the lessons learned from these events to continue expanding the reach of the Global Solidarity Hub and its mission to inspire action for a fairer, more just world.
