Global Solidarity Hub heads to Ploughing Championships

The National Ploughing Championships at Ratheniska, Co Laois, will see some of the leading practitioners and the greatest minds working for the advancement of global social justice in Ireland come together, under the banner of the Global Solidarity Hub. 
 
Concern, Trócaire, Dóchas, Self Help Africa, Sightsavers Ireland and Brighter Communities Worldwide will be in attendance at block 4, row 21, stand 535, providing attendees with a chance to take a journey encompassing agriculture, disability inclusion, sustainability and imagery, where they can experience what it is like to live in a range of locations and circumstances around the globe. 
 
Concern will encourage visitors to explore the experience of those who are forced to flee their homes due to conflict or climate emergency. Guests will be asked to take part in the 'grab and go' challenge. They will have 20 seconds to put themselves into others’ shoes, selecting the items they would bring with them if forced displacement became their reality. 
 
Sightsavers Ireland invites the public to a day in the life of Ndiambe who lives with a visual impairment in Senegal. This unique 360-degree insight into life with a disability in a developing setting and the stigma, prejudice and logistical challenges that Ndiambe faces each day is transformative and promotes inclusivity and compassion.  
 
Brighter Communities Worldwide is a Cork based charity, whose unique approach to development has created better futures for hundreds of thousands of people in Kenya. Working in partnership with local communities for over two decades, it helps to improve access to clean water, healthcare, education and towards the creation of sustainable livelihoods. 
 
Its’ commitment to ongoing sustainable programmes continues to change lives for the better; it reached 179,693 people last year alone. 
 
Brighter Communities Worldwide will showcase a model of a Healthy Kenyan Homestead, where conditions have been vastly improved as a result of sustainable measures it has put in place. 
 
Dóchas Worldview will use stacked imagery boxes displaying images taken from our members' campaigns, showcasing the potential power imagery has to inspire change.  
 
Trócaire will be bringing interactive games and art to the Hub focusing on climate disinformation and how to spread the message of climate justice. 
 
Self Help Africa's Human Fruit Machine is a fun way to talk farming and food! Ploughing visitors will be invited to try their luck and learn more about bananas, mangoes and cassava - and the role that they play in the future of food for Africa. A fruit bearing tree in Africa will be planted for everyone who plays the Human Fruit Machine. 
 
 
Dóchas CEO Jane-Ann McKenna said: 
 
“We are delighted to be taking part at the National Ploughing Championships for the second year in a row. The Hub will be a week full of interactive exhibitions and activities that will inspire, question and challenge people’s perceptions about some of the biggest issues facing the world today, like conflict, hunger and sustainable development. 
 
The Global Solidarity Hub, supported by Irish Aid, highlights the diverse and varied work of Irish development and humanitarian organisations around the world and the impact they are having on local communities.  
 
The Hub was set up by several humanitarian organisations to engage with people from around the country on important issues like climate, global inequality and Global Citizenship Education. Now more than ever we need to explore what solidarity with the Global South look like, and the National Ploughing Championships is a great opportunity to do that in a fun and exciting environment.”