Vol 9 • Issue 3 • Winter 2010


Le Chéile


PAGE 11 OPINION


It was a day that enthused, mobilised and raised expectations. The challenge is now to build on this and to have Claiming our Future emerge as an effective movement for an equal, sustainable and thriving Ireland.


Participants at the event took on to brief ten people on the event and to get them to sign up to Claiming our Future.


In this way a thousand people could become ten thousand. People are being


invited to link with and work with Claiming our Future to promote the values and policies agreed at the event. People can sign up on the website at www.claimingour future.ie.


“It was a day that enthused, mobilised and raised expectations.”


Events to enable deliberation on and understanding of the policy agenda agreed need to be held in different locations around the country.


It was proposed to hold two such events in the first part of next year.


There is a tension in this strategy with its medium term focus in a context of deepening crisis and hardship. Protest against and challenge to the policies that are currently being devised and implemented is needed. The decisions being taken by Government are failing in their own terms. They are also designed to seek a return to the old failed model of development – a model characterised by


inequality and environmental degradation.


People also need space to agree on and demonstrate support for what they want. People need hope that crisis and hardship have a different and better Ireland at the other end. People want to participate in devising this future Ireland. Claiming our Future reflects and responds to these aspirations.


Niall Crowley is an Independent Equality Consultant.


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