Scoil Gheimhridh Uí Chadhain launched with the renowned Greek Economist, Yanis Varoufakis as guest speaker
Winter school aims to “provide a democratic and inclusive platform and space for activists across a wide range of community campaigns that contribute to our collective fight for a new Ireland.”
The School was launched on Friday 9th December with a fascinating discussion with internationally renowned left-wing economist and former Greek Finance Minister, Yanis Varoufakis.
Varoufakis discussed his opinion of the Irish question: ‘I don’t speak Irish but I wish I did! I am not an expert on Irish reunification except that for some reason, from a very young age I have had an affinity for your cause…’
He also said ‘It’s impossible to underestimate the importance of social movements and also of having a political party that know their own limits, that they develop their relationship with the social movements which is not hegemonic’
It was an inspirational conversation in which he spoke about the major issues in society, particularly climate change, and he praised the Political Education Winter School and extended solidarity to us.
It continues today, Saturday 10th December in Gael-Ionad Mhic Goill with workshops and discussions around the range of issues central to any New Ireland, such as: climate change, Irish language revival, housing, neutrality, health, refugees and asylum seekers, the traveller community – and much more.
Eoghan Ó Garmaile, one of the organisers of the Winter School said:
“The conversation around a United Ireland is undoubtedly gathering momentum. Broad sections of society are already engaged in the debate around the constitutional future of Ireland and we must ensure that the voices of those on the margins are heard and help shape the new Ireland we want to see. Under the project of ‘Ag Samhlú Éire Nua’ (Imagining a New Ireland), some local community organisations and activists met to plan a day of political education to bring other Progressive/left-wing movements and community groups together and create a space to discuss this question to ensure that the ‘hoisting of the green flag’, as Connolly described it, is not the only outcome of a United Ireland debate. Connolly’s insistence on social justice and class politics being at the centre of any debate on a new Ireland is as prescient in 2022 and it was in 1897 when he wrote the famous words.
To that effect, we have organised Scoil Gheimhridh Uí Chadhain (Ó Cadhain Winter School) on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th December to provide a democratic and inclusive platform and space for activists across a wide range of community campaigns that contribute to our collective fight for a new Ireland which embodies the watchwords Liberty, Equality and Solidarity. We hope to give voice to the ‘view from below’ by creating a friendly and comradely opportunity for activists to explore and debate the most challenging issues facing our society today. This can, in our view, provide a practical tool kit for action and a unique opportunity to ‘join the dots’ and build collaborative alliances between grass-roots organisations and campaigns that can strengthen existing activist networks. Everyone is welcome to join this conversation and we would encourage like minded, progressive activists and individuals to contribute to this once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Le haghaidh tuilleadh eolais/For more information:
Eoghan Ó Garmaile
Full video of the conversation with Yanis Varoufakis:
