JCI Dublin - Junior Chamber International Dublin

Active Alfie, Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and JCI Ireland launch Active Citizen Week

Bertie Ahern, TD and JCI Ireland's Active Alfie today launched Active Citizen Week organised by JCI Ireland in Naas, Co. Kildare. The initiative focuses on encouraging individuals across Ireland to pledge to get more active in their communities. A website www.fifty-ways.com has been set up by JCI Ireland and Irish people of all ages are being asked to log on and pledge to become more active. Visitors to the site can choose from a menu of 50 different ways to become more active and make a difference. Each person who makes a pledge will receive an Active Citizenship pack which will include information on new ways to be an active citizen as well as profiles and interviews with active citizens all over the country. The idea behind the week is to stimulate the interest of young people in Ireland to get involved as active citizens. The first pledge was made by Mr. Ahern who said "Active Citizenship is something that each and everyone of us can participate in, be it government, business, media, or various other organisations. Active citizenship is a practical activity that concerns how we engage with each other and it can contribute to improve a better society for all of us."

Speaking at the launch, JCI Ireland National President, Catherine Laffey said ‘In recent times volunteerism has been under threat. There are increasing demands on our time and community spirit has diminished. JCI members realise the importance of actively engaging in society. We see first hand how our projects and activities benefit our communities. We are committed to creating positive change and through this initiative hope to encourage more young people to become active citizens.’

The initiative was taken by Junior Chamber International Ireland as part of their ongoing commitment to promoting Active Citizenship. The launch was also attended by the JCI World President, Dubliner, Graham Hanlon. Mr. Hanlon said ‘JCI as the original promoters of Active Citizenship, have called on young people for over six decades to make a positive change in towns, cities and countries. Now we must make our voices heard again. There is a new generation of young people who want to make more than a mere economic contribution to this world. They want their values expressed in not only what they work at and whom they work for but also what they do with their time and talents.’

Among others at the launch in Killashee House Hotel, Naas were Yvonne McKenna, CEO of Volunteer Centres Ireland and Mary Cunningham of NYCI.

During Active Citizen Week, from 5th to 12th October, JCI members from branches around the country will be making an extra special effort to be involved in community projects, including a canal clean-up, a collection of unwanted clothes, books and CD s for charity and blood donation. Anyone interested in getting involved should check out the website www.jci.cc/ireland.