New York Here We Come!

5^th Year students David Doyle and Shane Lauritsch from Oatlands College, accompanied by their teacher Brian Kehoe, will travel to New York on 10^th November as part of a group of twelve students and two teachers from six schools in the Dublin area, to lobby the United Nations on the commitments given in the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s).

Working with the team from 80:20 led by Colm Regan and the Irish charity Concern, the group have met with Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny T.D. and their spokesperson on Foreign Affairs Billy Timmons T.D. They also met with the Minister of State for Overseas Development, Michael Kitt T.D. All three were presented with a document that the group have drafted on the serious issues that must be addressed by the United Nations to use its influence to ensure that the wealthy countries of the world meet the commitments given to the poorest countries on the planet. A follow up meeting with Minister Michael Kitt has been scheduled to take place upon their return from their meetings with UN officials.

While in New York the group will lobby the United Nations, will meet with the Irish Government’s Permanent Mission to the UN, and take part in discussions with various Non-Government Organisations (NGO’s) working in the Development field. They will also be running workshops in five schools in New York.

You can read about their progress here over the next few weeks.