Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects

What does a cappuccino in Dublin have to do with migration in Nicaragua? In the latest episode of the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects podcast, the answer comes from Fátima Ismael, General Manager of SOPPEXCCA (Association of Small Coffee Producers and Exporters), a union of 18 coffee cooperatives in northern Nicaragua.

Her story connects Irish consumers with small farmers thousands of miles away, showing how Fairtrade, long-term partnerships and conscious consumption can transform lives.

• Read more about Fátima in this interview by Irish activist Sinéad Burke: Extraordinary Women -Fátima Ismael Espinoza
• Watch this short documentary on SOPPEXCCA – subtitled in English
• Check out Fairtrade Ireland and the annual Fairbruary initiative
• Check out the Fair Trade Ireland profile on SOPPEXCCA 
• See the Bewley’s Fair Trade statement as featured in Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects exhibition
• More on Bewley’s Fairtrade commitment

The Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects podcast is hosted by Ciara Regan.

This episode was produced by Tony Daly and Catherine Howley. Music by Jump Lead.

It is brought to you by developmenteducation.ie and supported by Irish Aid.

Special thanks to Kieran Durnien and Catherine Howley for their translations, which enabled Fátima Ismael’s voice from Nicaragua to be heard in this conversation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, host Ciara Regan speaks with climate activist Beth Doherty about her journey from organising Dublin’s first school climate strike in 2019 to becoming Ireland’s Youth Delegate to the UN Climate Conference (COP29).

The podcast explores how youth-led movements have shaped national and global climate agendas, the symbolism behind protest actions such as the climate strike clock, and the importance of collective organising. Beth discusses her work with the Arctic Angels campaign, her advocacy on children’s rights in the climate crisis, and the role of youth voices in international negotiations.

This episode was produced by Tony Daly and Catherine Howley. Music by Jump Lead.

Brought to you by developmenteducation.ie and supported by Irish Aid.

• Learn more about the youth-led Fridays For Future movement
• Watch Growing Up at the End of the World, an RTÉ documentary featuring Beth Doherty and other young Irish climate activists
• Read the UNICEF report co-authored by Beth: Children’s Rights and the Climate Crisis in Ireland
• Explore the Arctic Angels campaign in Don't Look North: Tackling the Ice Crisis with the Arctic Angels
• Read Beth’s profile in Irish Women in Activism and Advocacy

• Post Primary: Teacher Toolkit: Climate Change and Climate Justice
• Primary: The Primary Climate Justice Tree
• Youth Groups, Adult & Community Settings: 10 Myths About Climate Change
• Post-Primary Teaching Unit: Slow to Change, Quick to Greenwashing – case studies on fast fashion and fossil fuel adverts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects podcast features Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Defenders. With nearly 50 years of experience in human rights work, Lawlor has fought tirelessly to protect those at risk for defending justice and equality.

Her career began as a volunteer with Amnesty International, later becoming a fundraiser before serving as its director in Ireland for 12 years. Recognising a gap in protections for human rights defenders, she founded Front Line Defenders in 2001 to support activists under threat worldwide.

In 2020, she was appointed as the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Defenders, where she continues to advocate for those risking their lives to uphold justice, amplifying their voices at the international level.

This episode also discusses From The Republic of Conscience, a poem written by Seamus Heaney in 1985 for Amnesty International’s 25th anniversary. The poem highlights the moral responsibility of individuals to uphold human rights, values that align with Lawlor’s lifelong work.

Note to Listeners: This episode includes a discussion on sensitive topics involving harm to human rights activists and harm to infants.

• Seamus Heaney’s peom From the Republic of Conscience in the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects exhibition
• Listen to From the Republic of Conscience introduced and read by Vanessa Redgrave
• Read Mary Lawlor’s report on 25 years of achievements by human rights defenders (press release) and the report
• Watch Peaceful Assembly & Human Rights Defenders: UN Special Rapporteurs Press Conference
• Check out Mary Lawlor featured in Irish Women in Activism and Advocacy: In Awe of All Mná

The Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects podcast is hosted by Ciara Regan.

Brought to you by developmenteducation.ie and supported by Irish Aid.

This episode was produced by Tony Daly and Catherine Howley. Music by Jump Lead.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects podcast, Ciara Regan revisits her 2021 conversation with Kevin Squires of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC).

Their discussion, centred on Irish activism in response to Israel’s 2009 assault on Gaza, remains deeply relevant today. Since 2023, Palestine has endured over 440 days of live-streamed genocide, as civilians continue to suffer the ongoing effects of relentless bombardment, forced displacement, and humanitarian collapse.

The question then, as it is now, remains: What can we do? Kevin recalls the widespread outrage as people witnessed the systematic killing of civilians. Their response took many forms, from mass protests and boycott campaigns to grassroots activism against Israel.

During the 2009 assault, the IPSC published a full-page newspaper advert condemning the attacks—a public declaration of solidarity funded by people determined to take action. The overwhelming response reflected a widespread rejection of Israel’s occupation and violence.

However, activism did not stop there. The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement continued to grow, urging people to boycott Israeli goods, pressure corporations, and demand meaningful government action.

Reflecting on these events, Ciara highlights the emotional impact of long-term activism. While policies and protests often dominate discussions, it is essential to remember that behind every statistic, every attack, and every war crime, there are real people with stories that must not be forgotten.

The genocide against the Palestinian people continues, with mass displacement, starvation, and relentless bombings. Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, a hospital director in Gaza, was abducted and tortured in Israeli detention, alongside hundreds of other medical professionals.

In moments of despair, collective action is our most powerful tool.

As Arundhati Roy reminds us:

This podcast is a tribute to those murdered and a call to action for renewed solidarity.

Now, more than ever, solidarity, action, and unwavering commitment to justice are needed. If another world is possible, it is up to us to make it so.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes, the most impactful lessons emerge from the simplest tools. In the latest episode of the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects podcast, host Ciara Regan speaks with Lizzy Noone, Education Officer at WorldWise Global Schools. Together, they discuss how a single ball of string can be used in global citizenship education as a way to explore our interconnectedness, and our shared responsibility to uphold human rights.

“The ball of string serves as a metaphor: every action we take is part of a larger global tapestry.”

Show notes:

• Check out the Ball of String object and explainer in the  Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects exhibition courtesy of Lizzy Noone and Worldwise Global Schools.

Related teaching resources on developmenteducation.ie

• Interactive teaching methods: 30 Activities to Explore Development Education
• 5 Point Starter Guide to Doing Global Citizenship Education
• Primary Education: Global Citizenship Education: Curious Teachers, Critical Classrooms
• Post Primary and Higher Education:Teaching Controversial Issues
• Connecting Cultures – Sustaining Our World: Lessons Learnt Toolkit

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ciara Regan speaks with social justice and human rights activist Caoimhe Butterly about the essential role of hope, reflection, and rest in sustaining activism. At the time of recording, Caoimhe was based on the island of Lesvos, Greece – a critical point on the migratory journey for tens of thousands seeking refuge and international protection.

Caoimhe reflects on the harsh realities of life in refugee camps, describing the disempowering limbo experienced by so many. Caoimhe also chats about solidarity work and the trial of rescue workers including Seán Binder for their efforts to rescue migrants in the Mediterranean.

Check out more episodes in the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects series or subscribe.

The Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects podcast is hosted by Ciara Regan.

This episode was produced by Dylan Creane and Tony Daly. Music by Jump Lead.

Brought to you by developmenteducation.ie and supported by Irish Aid

Show notes:

• This episode was recorded on the margins of the rescue workers trial in Lesvos, Greece in early 2023
• News report: Irish man Seán Binder faces 25 years in prison in Greece for helping rescue migrants from the Mediterranean, The Irish Independent (Nov 2021)
• Greece drops espionage charges against Seán Binder, RTÉ News (Jan 13, 2023)

A number of objects from the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects exhibition relate to the topics discussed in this episode:

• RefugeesWelcome Unions Say No to Racism
• A Family’s Journey to Refuge
• Boats at Sea
• Charon’s Boats, XR
• Lifejackets

Teacher resources on developmenteducation.ie

• Mythbuster: 10 Myths About Migration & Refugees
• Post primary & youth resource: Global Rights, Noble Goals: Refugees, Migration, The Sustainable Development Goals And Youth
• Primary resource: Journeys: A Teachers Handbook for Exploring Migration and Migrant Rights in the Primary Classroom

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ciara Regan caught up with visual arts educator Fiona King.

From the art squad to curriculum design and teaching, Fiona King has been building communities of art practice and teaching art education and socially engaged art for over 20 years.

Fiona King is the coordinator of The Professional Master of Education (PME) programme, a lecturer and researcher in Art Education within the School of Education in the National College of Art and Design (NCAD), Dublin.

Fiona also co-leads the trail blazing Change Lab initiative in the NCAD Gallery with Tony Murphy as part of an immersive Ubuntu Network experience that takes place annually for student teachers to grapple with their identities as researchers, artists and educators by exploring the potential of art as a social commentator.

For more, explore The Artist’s Notebook object that was submitted by Fiona and Tony to the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects exhibition (the notebook is available online). A special note of thanks to Fiona and Tony for the formative discussions in the canteen in NCAD and for supporting the project from brainstorm to launch night in what became the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects exhibition.

Check out more episodes in the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects series or subscribe.

The Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects podcast is hosted by Ciara Regan.

This episode was produced by Dylan Creane and Tony Daly. Music by Jump Lead.

Brought to you by developmenteducation.ie and supported by Irish Aid

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been 4 years since the global School Strike for Climate event. In this episode of the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects podcast, Yvonne O’Callaghan reflects on that seminal moment in May 2019, and many moments since then where young people have taken the lead, saying:

In this episode, guest host Tony Daly caught up with trade union leader Yvonne, who believes ‘This is about the future and we need to make sure future generations, including young people, are involved in how we tackle climate justice right now, not in 10 years.’

In SIPTU’s 22nd May 2019 statement in advance of the climate strike event in her capacity as SIPTU Global Solidarity Campaign Secretary, Yvonne said:

Yvonne was one of the supporting adults in the trade union movement in Ireland in the lead up to the climate protest in Dublin, contributing a high-vis vest as worn by dozens of volunteer marshals towards the exhibition. Yvonne is Head of Equality and Policy in SIPTU Trade Union, chair of the ICTU Global Solidarity Committee and chairperson of Fairtrade Ireland.

For more, check out the School Strike for Climate – Marshal Vest object in the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects online exhibition

For listeners, some periodic background noise can be heard as this episode was recorded on the side-lines of the Fairtrade General Assembly in Nairobi in June 2022.

Check out more episodes in the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects series or subscribe.

The Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects podcast is hosted by Ciara Regan.

This episode was produced by Dylan Creane and Tony Daly. Music by Jump Lead.

Brought to you by developmenteducation.ie and supported by Irish Aid

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is it possible to go online today and avoid misinformation? And what about the work involved in writing about global issues such as FGM  - in Ireland and elsewhere - and testing the interest of readers to know about them and take action?

In this episode, Ciara Regan caught up with award winning journalist and feminist Órla Ryan of TheJournal.ie, who believes “it’s through education and awareness that things can change.”

Órla talks about what it was like meeting former circumcisers involved in female genital mutilation, the power of her platform working in a newsroom, her views on the term ‘fake news’ and shares tips for young people (particularly women) interested in exploring roles in journalism.

Órla’s work has been acknowledged in its commitment to highlighting humanitarian issues and  highlighting social injustices happening in Ireland or abroad in the Irish Red Cross Journalism Excellence Award and the Justice Media Award. More recently, Órla is the creator and presenter of the 6-part documentary podcast series Redacted Lives which explores mother and baby homes in Ireland and  tells the stories of people who passed through the system (released on November 10th 2022).

Explore Órla Ryan’s three-part series on FGM and women’s rights in Kenya on TheJournal.ie:

• Part 1: ‘I used to cut the girls, sometimes I would cut the wrong part and they would bleed terribly’, July 21st 2019
• Part 2: ‘I’ll give you a goat and then you can forget about the rape’, July 22nd 2019
• Part 3: ‘Girls are forced to have sex in exchange for sanitary pads or 50 cents’, July 23rd 2019.

Check out more episodes in the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects series or subscribe.

The Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects podcast is hosted by Ciara Regan.

This episode was produced by Dylan Creane and Tony Daly. Music by Jump Lead.

Brought to you by developmenteducation.ie and supported by Irish Aid

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cartoons have a lot to say about the state of the world.

As one of Ireland’s most prolific pencils in the business, Martyn Turner’s political cartoons are unavoidably challenging. In a career spanning more than four decades, he has raised questions of justice, equality, contradiction, responsibility, hypocrisy, accountability, rights and wrongs on a weekly basis in the pages of the Irish Times.

Martyn’s work has featured in education resources, books, workshop hand-outs and on PowerPoints as a part of the teacher’s go-to ‘stimulus’ materials on global justice and human rights issues as well as public campaigns on issues such as ending Apartheid in South Africa.

In this episode of the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects podcast, guest host ‘educational activist’ and development educator Colm Regan interviews colleague and friend Martyn Turner on the perils, dilemmas and trade-craft as a cartoonist.

This the story of editorial cartooning in 1980s and beyond.

As part of this episode, check out the rest of the Martyn Turner series:

• Check out the object pages on I Ran the World, I Ruin the World, I Ruin the World and 75:25 from the exhibition.
• Read Colm Regan’s reflection on Martyn Turner as one of the great chroniclers of modern Irish history.
• Why use political cartoons in education? 6 starter activities for teachers and educators.
• Explore 11 cartoons on Covid-19, climate change and the arms trade by Martyn Turner in recent times
• Interactive feature: What do you see? Money the G7 will spend that could save people’s lives (based on one cartoon)

Check out more episodes in the series or subscribe.

With thanks to Martyn Turner for joining us for episode 3, which was recorded remotely under lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects is hosted by Ciara Regan.

Episode three was guest host Colm Regan and produced by Dylan Creane, Tony Daly and Ciara Regan.

Music by Jump Lead

Brought to you by developmenteducation.ie and supported by Irish Aid

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.