ECOLISE communications coordinator Iva Pocock recently attended a seminar in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, entitled ‘Towards Climate Justice, exploring community work and human rights perspectives on climate justice’. Organised by Community Work Ireland (CWI), which works for social change that will contribute to the creation of a just, sustainable and equal society, the event drew community workers from across Ireland. It built on the publication by CWI last October of a briefing paper ‘The Urgent Case for Justice’, which includes a section on ‘consciousness raising and education’ and why community workers can play an important role by opening up space for dialogue about the climate crisis.

Iva shared insights from ECOLISE since its founding just over five years ago, with examples of community-led initiatives across the continent which serve to inspire other local communities keen to take action. These included three projects documented in ECOLISE’s booklet Local, Community-Led: A New Future Unfolding:

• The Incredible Edible food growing project in the UK
• Coopérnico renewable energy cooperative in Portugal
• Living in Sustainable Villages project from Germany.

Other speakers included Prof John Sweeney, International Expert on Climate Change; Anastasia Crickley, International Expert in Community Work & Human Rights; Deirdre Kelly, Department of Rural and Community Development; Anthony O’Grady, Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment; and Ann Irwin, Community Work Ireland.