LISDOONVARNA woman, Theresa O’Donohoe was among the first graduates of a third-level course assessing the impact of climate on women and communities.
A new focus on feminist climate justice was examined in the Community Work in a Changing Ireland certificate programme which was run by the Department of Applied Social Studies at Maynooth University in conjunction Community Work Ireland and the National Women’s Council.
Twenty one students graduated from the certificate programme at Maynooth University on Saturday. The National University of Ireland level 7 course is the first of its kind.
Theresa was among those to proudly receive a certificate for her academic endeavours. She said, “When we think of the impact of climate change on women or marginalised communities, we often think of far-flung places, but the reality is that climate change and climate policy is affecting communities here in Ireland too, and even Clare already. For example, energy poverty, poor public transport services, and access to decent food and housing are all climate issues which affect some communities more than others. I’m thrilled that this course has equipped me with a foundation of knowledge and confidence to communicate all things climate with the people of Clare”.
She has been a member of Futureproof Clare, Extinction Rebellion Clare and Transition Clare while also serving as co-ordinator of the Clare Environmental Network. Theresa ran for the Dáil in 2020 as a candidate for People Before Profit.
Project coordinator of Feminist Communities for Climate Justice, a joint project between Community Work Ireland and the National Women’s Council, Collette McEntee said the graduates “are now in an ideal position to raise awareness of the global climate crisis as an issue for women and marginalised communities, connecting it to the immediate problems and priorities that they currently face, as well as its future impacts. Education is a vital tool in the fight for climate justice, and for us it’s crucial that women’s organisations and community development organisations can play an active role”.
