The 18th annual IPB Pride of Place awards recently took place on November 21st as an online ceremony. Pride of Place is an all-island competition that recognises improvements made by local communities to create civic pride in their area. The competition focus is about people coming together to shape, change and enjoy all that is good about their area. This year there were 12 categories of awards and we are delighted that CESCA member the Social and Health Education Project (SHEP) came out as winners for their Earth Aware and Elders for Earth initiative in Category Five – Community Climate Action Initiative.
SHEP Earth Aware and Elders for Earth are part of the community education and development organisation SHEP. Aiming to raise awareness about the climate and biodiversity crisis they work with a wide range of other groups to run courses, workshops etc. In 2019, collaborating with other groups, they organised the Cork Conference on Intergenerational Climate Justice in the City Hall. It brought together a panel of climate activists with an audience of more than 200, made up of equal numbers of teenagers and older people. In his keynote address President Michael D. Higgins said “We must urgently do everything we can as a gesture towards inter-generational solidarity to safeguard a benign future existence on this planet.” SHEP Earth Aware and Elders for Earth continue to explore and support ways in which they, as individuals, as members of the SHEP community, as members of other communities of various kinds, and as citizens, might deepen their cherishing of the earth and its people and contribute to constructive change.
Announcing the award, this initiative was in particular commended for presenting a compelling story on their subject matter. Their voluntary initiative was set up to create awareness and it was felt that this they have achieved in no uncertain terms. “Excellent, passionate and committed presenters told a persuasive story of climate chaos, climate justice, intergenerational justice and loss of bio-diversity.”
For more information please visit the SHEP Earth Aware page