Schools from throughout counties Louth, Armagh and Down will be converging on the DkIT campus on Wednesday, 16 March, in one of the biggest ever cross-border celebrations of culture and diversity in this region. Primary and secondary schools, as well as community organisations, will participate in a wide ranging programme of music, dance, exhibitions, food tastings and other activities throughout the campus, organised by Co. Louth Vocational Education Committee (VEC) and the Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT). The formal partnership of the two educational Institutions symbolises the key role that education plays in accommodating ethnic and minority groups in the life-long learning process.
An International Food Fair, at which free tastings of over 15 different national foods will be available, will be organised by the students in the Hospitality Section of DkIT Outside the entrance to the main Whitaker Building, a colourful exhibition of Irish Traveller culture will be staged, organised by Co Louth VEC’s Tara Education Centre. Schoolchildren will be able to go inside a traditional Travellers’ wagon and a small Traveller tent, while a Traveller tinsmith will provide exhibitions and demonstrations of the tinsmith’s traditional handiwork. In addition, a series of creative workshops for preschool children will be held throughout the day.
A free concert will be held at lunchtime, with music being provided by most of the ethnic groups in County Louth. Dance workshops will run throughout the day, providing young people with the opportunity to try some of the traditional –and modern-dances from other countries, and ending in a free- for- all Walls of Limerick set to finish off the day.
A free concert will be held at lunchtime, with music being provided by most of the ethnic groups in County Louth. Dance workshops will run throughout the day, providing young people with the opportunity to try some of the traditional –and modern-dances from other countries, and ending in a free- for- all Walls of Limerick set to finish off the day.
Exhibition stands by over 20 organisations will provide useful information on issues of diversity, ethnicity and multiculturalism. And while the emphasis of the day is on fun and participation, the event will send out a strong, serious message that ethnic minority groups are particularly welcome in both institutions. The day will be a celebration of the major contribution they make to the academic and social communities in Louth.
Dr Pádraig Kirk, the VEC’s Chief Executive Officer, has urged schools to avail of the opportunities for educational, personal and social development which the event offers young people; “The organisers have carefully planned a colourful and exciting programme which will sustain the interest of young people, open their minds to the rich diversity of our community and provide them with opportunities to enrich learning in subjects such as history, geography, music, arts, crafts and home economic and other aspects of the curriculum from early childhood through to the senior cycle. Pupils will benefit enormously from the experience, and will get an opportunity to experience a day on the campus of one of Ireland's leading third level institutions, here in the heart of Co Louth. Every pupil in the county should get the opportunity to participate in this colourful event.”
For further information on the event, contact;
tommyfegan@gmail.com
Dr Pádraig Kirk, the VEC’s Chief Executive Officer, has urged schools to avail of the opportunities for educational, personal and social development which the event offers young people; “The organisers have carefully planned a colourful and exciting programme which will sustain the interest of young people, open their minds to the rich diversity of our community and provide them with opportunities to enrich learning in subjects such as history, geography, music, arts, crafts and home economic and other aspects of the curriculum from early childhood through to the senior cycle. Pupils will benefit enormously from the experience, and will get an opportunity to experience a day on the campus of one of Ireland's leading third level institutions, here in the heart of Co Louth. Every pupil in the county should get the opportunity to participate in this colourful event.”
For further information on the event, contact;
tommyfegan@gmail.com
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