October 2006 'Conversations with Community' Seminars to Build on Success of Volunteer Fair

31 October 2006: Building on the success of last month's Volunteering Fair, the Community Knowledge Initiative (CKI) at NUI Galway has organised a series of discussions entitled 'Conversations with Community' in order to continue to foster communication and partnership with community organisations. Kick starting this discussion series will be a seminar discussing the experience of asylum seekers in Galway on Wednesday the 8th of November from 3.00pm – 5.00pm at NUI Galway.

Hosted by the CKI, this first discussion will take place with Brendan Smith, of the University's Digital Enterprise Research Institute and members of the Eglington Centre who will talk about their experiences working with asylum seekers in Galway and what asylum seekers experience here.

This seminar is part of a series of informal discussions and talks with community organisations and is organised by the CKI in order to generate more discussion and communication with community.

The CKI will also host:

• Linda Keane, Galway Association and Kathy Heffernan, NAD on Wednesday the 10th of January, 3.00pm – 5.00pm - Barriers & Opportunities facing the disabled in Ireland.
• Sean Regan, Community Worker Wednesday on the 7th of February, 3.00pm - 5.00pm - Community work in Ireland - managing poverty and injustice or working for social change?
• Colin McIlrath, Irish Wheelchair Association and John Hannon, Careers Services, NUI Galway on Wednesday the 7th of March, 3.00pm - 5.00pm - Careers in the Community Sector - Insights from Professionals .

The Community Knowledge Initiative (CKI) is a project at NUI Galway that promotes partnership with communities and endeavours to enhance social commitment within communities. Funded by philanthropic donations, the CKI hopes to reinvigorate the civic mission of higher education in Ireland, putting communities at the centre of debate.

For further information, please contact Lorraine McIlrath, CKI Project Coordinator at 091 495234 or email lorraine.mcilrath@nuigalway.ie.

Information from Christina McDonald Legg, christina.legg@nuigalway.ie

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