12 February 2007: A key member of the team that brought the Special Olympics to Ireland, Ms Mary Davis, will address the issue of citizenship during a seminar at NUI Galway on Thursday, 22nd February at 1.00pm in the Siobhan McKenna Theatre.

Ms Davis' talk 'Perspectives on Active Citizenship in Ireland Today' is part of a Keynote Seminar Series, organised by the University's Community Knowledge Initiative. Focusing on themes related to civic engagement and active citizenship, the series is being offered as a response to the impact that volunteering has in today's communities.

Ms Davis has played a pivotal role in terms of raising awareness, and creating a supportive sporting environment for those with diverse abilities. She has been recognised nationally for enhancing a culture of volunteerism in modern Irish society through the hosting of the Special Olympics World Games in Ireland in 2003.

Recently appointed Chair of the Taskforce on Active Citizenship by the Taoiseach, which seeks to address the perceived decline in levels of social capital in Ireland, Ms Davis' address will offer personal and professional reflections on citizenship, her role in the culmination of the Special Olympics event and her vision for the future of engaged and active citizens in modern Irish society through the work of the Taskforce.

Lorraine McIlrath, Project Coordinator, Community Knowledge Initiative, NUI Galway said "Insights from the Chair of the Taskforce on Active Citizenships of the levels of social capital in modern Irish society is essential to the work that NUI Galway is enabling to embed as part of the Community Knowledge Initiative, our work and its future will be advanced I'm sure through perspective offers by this address"

Tickets for the free event, which is hosted in partnership with the President's Office and the Arts Faculty, are available from Mary Bernard at the Community Knowledge Initiative at mary.bernard@nuigalway.ie or on 091 493823.

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 contact Lorraine McIlrath, Project Coordinator, Community Knowledge Initiative, NUI Galway. Phone 091 495234