UCDVO Annual Forum 2025
The UCDVO Annual Forum works to connect UCDVO, the broader UCD community with the voluntary sector on issues of equality, justice, and activism. It creates a space for dialogue, reflection and an opportunity to build connections.
About This Years Event:
The years Forum 'Volunteering for Sustainability - Perspectives Through Storytelling' will contribute to UCD's SDG Week taking place from 22-26 September, with multiple events across campus.
We will explore volunteering for sustainable development through personal storytelling - connecting to the lived experience of local and global volunteers. This is in advance of 2026, the United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY).
This multidisciplinary, storytelling event will be hosted in the Dramasoc Theatre in the UCD Student Centre on the 24th September, 2-4pm. We are delighted to showcase five storytellers with a diversity of experiences sharing their personal perspectives of volunteering, both locally and globally. Similar to the Irish Seanchaí tradition, stories will be reflective, contemporary and express their lived experience through the spoken word.
Storytellers for UCDVO Annual Forum:
- Ruth Powell
- Safia Hassan
- Bulelani Mfaco
- Jo Kennedy
- Oein DeBhairduin
We are delighted to welcome as our guest speaker Maxine Mpofu from Northumbria University, who describes herself as a researcher and provocateur, whose work amongst other things explores Volunteering for Development, Ubuntu, Joy and Afro-Feminisms.
This event will also include performance from the incredible multi-instrumentalist and composer Seamas Hyland.
Guest Speaker: Maxine Mpofu
Starting her formal volunteering journey at the age of eight as a Girl Guide, Maxine Mpofu has dedicated herself to exploring the power of volunteering in shaping global development. She has supported advocacy and resource mobilisation within the World Organization of the Scout Movement, reaching millions of young people worldwide. Now a PhD researcher at Northumbria University’s Centre for Global Development, her work examines just and decolonial approaches to volunteerism. Guided by Ubuntu, she also partners with young people with disabilities in Zimbabwe to reimagine youth participation in development.
Seating is limited and booking can be made though Eventbright.
For enquiries please contact zoe.liston@ucd.ie
The UCDVO Annual Forum is kindly supported by Concern Worldwide.
