In episode number 11 of ONE Conversation, The Making of an Activist Fiona Dunne talks to Angela Flynn, an activist and outgoing President of the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT), about her ongoing activism in the workplace, her local community and within politics.
The conversation begins with Angela reflecting on the influence her parents’ activism had on her life. As secondary school teachers and members of the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (ASTI) their involvement in trade unionism was seen as a natural part of working life and she describes this activity within their household as “what you just did”. And whilst they may not have influenced her career choice per se, studying for her nursing degree in the UK when that wasn’t an option in Ireland, they certainly influenced her activism which began during a particularly difficult time for nursing in England.
Starting with the student union she found great camaraderie amongst the group which was in stark contrast to her account of stepping up her activism whilst working in the NHS. As she watched “the Tory Government dismantle the NHS” she was suitably shocked at the level of inaction by her colleagues, where petition signing was even a challenge. And whilst she felt the union at the time wasn’t ready for those challenges, it is something which the INO (currently INMO) couldn’t be accused of later, when Angela joined them in Cork in industrial action in the late 1990s.
Whilst she takes us through her activism, she asks some pertinent questions throughout such as “how do we perceive ourselves in society, as an individual or part of a collective?”, or is neo-liberal ideology “forcing us to just look out for ourselves because the state probably won’t”. Questions which all activists should consider when looking at the broader issues and challenges they face. She praises the union’s struggles and credits them with the establishment of the Commission on Nursing and the subsequent developments in education and professionalism, posing the question, “do our new recruits know that the development of the profession is through their union?”
The conversation then takes us through her role as a lecturer in health and her encouragement of nurses and students alike to have a role in social justice and be part of change. Moving on, the conversation takes in academic freedom, the role of the Irish Federation of University Teachers, community activism from Macroom for Yes to challenging the system of Direct Provision and finally to her political activism with the Social Democrats whose “goals and ambitions matches with my personal politics”. And that is where Angela’s real gift is in this conversation, she is not only active herself but constantly questions what is being done, is it the right thing and can more be done and done better. Her parting advice to activists “don’t focus on problems or negative issues too much” and suggests we all should “be in solidarity with people, even when we ourselves don’t need it”.
Join us for a great conversation not just about activism, but questioning how and why we are active.
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