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' contributed to UCD's SDG Week taking place from 22-26 September, with multiple events across campus.
We explored 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 was hosted in the Red Room in the UCD Student Centre on the 24th September, 2-4pm. We are delighted to showcase six storytellers with a diversity of experiences sharing their personal perspectives of volunteering, both locally and globally. Similar to the Irish Seanchaí tradition, stories connect and express their lived experience through the spoken word.
Speaker, Storytellers and Performer Profiles:
- Ruth Powell
- Safia Hassan
- Bulelani Mfaco
- Kelvyn Fields
- Jo Kennedy
- Oein DeBhairduin
Listen to recordings of the 6 Storytellers and musician Seamas Hyland HERE
We were 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 also included performance from the incredible multi-instrumentalist and composer Seamas Hyland.
For enquiries please contact zoe.liston@ucd.ie
The UCDVO Annual Forum is kindly supported by Concern Worldwide.
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