In episode number 7, Fiona Dunne goes behind the scenes with Uachtarán (President) of the Irish Second-level Students’ Union (ISSU), Emer Neville, to talk about how she first became involved in activism and what has led her to her current position.
Emer hails from Tipperary and comes from a long line of activists who first cut their teeth with Comhairle na nÓg and seem to have a direct line into the Executive of the ISSU. From the outset of this interview, we get the sense of the sheer determination of this young woman, from when she recounts lying down on the pitch in protest at being forced to take part in school sports, to watching her grandmother deal with challenges she experienced as a publican.
We also talk about what motivates her throughout this activist career and learn that she lives by the motto “if you see something and want to change it, just do it”. Something we can all learn from.
She takes us through her activism, since primary school, right up to the present day recounting the importance of networking, mentoring and building relations with and for students and young people.
She understands the power of raising awareness and talking to people to get a better insight into their world, through her work as a volunteer with a direct provision centre where she and her colleagues, were clear at what they wanted to achieve and how they wished to achieve it, by learning from and listening to others’ experiences.
If you have any interest in activism or wish to simply be inspired to get involved in your community, your school, college or workplace, then take a short break, grab a cuppa and have a listen, it truly is worth it.
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