Europe Day 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday 9th May 2023
Léargas and Eurodesk Tipperary Relay part of Youth work Tipperary announces nationwide photo competition to mark ‘Europe Day’ 2023
Young people in Tipperary invited to celebrate 50 years of EU membership in Ireland with photographs capturing the theme of ‘Peace and Unity’
Léargas, a not-for-profit organisation managing international and national exchange programmes across Ireland and Europe, is calling on young people across Ireland to celebrate Europe Day this year by submitting photos capturing the theme of ‘Peace and Unity’ to a Photography Competition coordinated by Eurodesk.
Europe Day, which takes place on Tuesday (09.05.23), marks the anniversary of the historic ‘Schuman declaration’, the proposal considered to be the beginning of what is now the European Union. Ireland joined the EU in 1973.
Eurodesk, which is administrated by Léargas in Ireland, is a free information service that operates in 36 European countries. Eurodesk provides information on EU-funded programmes and opportunities for young people to work, study, volunteer and travel in Europe and support young people to access such opportunities.
Léargas, Eurodesk and Youth Information/Eurodesk Relay – Youth work Ireland Tipperary are inviting young people living locally aged 13-30 years old to take a picture using their own camera or phone camera responding to the theme of ‘Peace and Unity’ and what that means to them in Ireland and Europe in 2023. The competition will open as part of Europe Day on May 9th, and accept photographs via email submission until midnight on the 28th of May 2023. Up for grabs is €500 worth of photography equipment within each age category. Local prize also in Tipperary, entries by email to info@youthworktipperary.ie by 22nd May at 5pm.
Commenting, Léargas Executive Director Lorraine Gilligan said: “This year marks the 50th anniversary of Ireland joining the EU, a decision that has been hugely positive for Ireland, and in particular its young people.
“In a recent Ámarach survey commissioned by Léargas, it was found that 8 in 10 Irish adults believe young people should be encouraged to work or study abroad to broaden cultural awareness. Léargas is proud to support this year’s Eurodesk photo competition, with the ever-important themes of peace and unity, something that we cannot taken for granted.
“For our young people, Léargas is committed to developing strong and lasting connections with our European neighbours through our programmes and exchange opportunities from sport to youth work, promoting personal and professional development through building confidence and better understanding of European cultures.”
Announcing the photo competition, Eurodesk Ireland Co-ordinator, Malgorzata Fiedot-Davies said:
“Eurodesk Ireland is a hub for promoting the many opportunities for our young people in Europe. Peace and Unity in Europe remains, at its heart, about mutual understanding, respect for diversity and openness to other cultures. We are so excited to see what peace and unity for young people across Ireland in 2023 means as part of this photo competition, how that challenges them, interests them and sparks their creative minds.”
Launching the competition for young people in mark 50 years of EU membership across Tipperary, Pauline Strappe of Youth Information/Eurodesk Relay of Youth work Ireland Tipperary said: This competition will allow young people in our region as well as in our clubs & projects to be creative in using this competition to send a message about Peace and unity both locally in our communities and across the EU which helps to foster understanding, cultural awareness and respect for difference while putting the right of Peace for all at the core of what we promote to young people.
For more information, please contact Malgorzata Fiedot-Davies on mfiedot-davies@leargas.ie.
Notes to Editors:
- Local Eurdoesk network member Youth Information – Youth work Ireland Tipperary is available for interview, on request.
- Eurodesk, which is administrated by Léargas in Ireland, is a free information service that operates in 36 European countries. They provide information on EU-funded programmes and opportunities for young people to work, study, volunteer and travel in Europe and support young people to access such opportunities.
- The online survey referenced was conducted by Amárach Research on 3rd April 2023. A total sample of 1,000 was achieved, with quotas set on gender, age, social class and region to achieved a sample aligned with the national population.
