Christopher Moran, Chairman of Co-operation Ireland, addressed over 700 volunteers at Munster Rugby’s hallowed stadium Thomond Park, in Limerick at the Pride of Place Awards.
You can read his remarks below.
“This is the tenth year of the Pride of Place Competition. I extend a warm welcome to one and all. I extend a special welcome to the communities and community groups attending here tonight – to everybody – be you committee chairman, groundsman or the person who makes the tea. You all play your part. This most of all is a celebration of your unstinting work for the greater good of your community. A core element of Pride of Place is the inclusiveness and promoting of engagement by all sections of society around issues that concern your community. As I have said before, this competition is neither about winning nor losing. It is both a celebration and a showcase of what can be achieved when people of like mind come together to bring about positive changes in their communities. There can be no doubt that one of the major successes of the Olympic Games was the importance of volunteers. Volunteering is about giving, contributing and helping other individuals and the community. Volunteering means working with others to make a meaningful contribution to a better community. Each of you have every right to be proud about the contribution you have made to your community. The whole ethos of the competition is to provide you as communities and community groups with the opportunity to tell your story, to celebrate it and to get acknowledgement for what is often years of hard work.
I would also like to welcome Deputy Jan O’Sullivan, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government for her attendance here this evening. Her commitment to fostering community spirit is acknowledged throughout the island.
I thank Irish Public Bodies, for their generous sponsorship of this event. It is wonderful that a mutual insurance company like IPB have shown significant corporate and social responsibility in getting involved with this very impressive community initiative facilitated by the local authorities. I thank Failte Ireland for their support and I also thank Limerick Local Authorities for hosting the event in this venue, Thomond Park Stadium, the hallowed inner sanctum of Munster Rugby.
All of what transpires here tonight and that has happened in the last year is underpinned by the sterling work of Tom Dowling, Chairman of Pride of Place and his committee. Tom is ideally placed in his role as Pride of Place judge and former County Manager to monitor the on-going operation of Pride of Place. He has had a pivotol role in implementing refinements and growing the competition since its inception. And I also want to acknowledge the work of the staff of Cooperation Irleand and in particular Maurice Inglis who pulls it all together. I would like to thank everyone involved in the competition the judges, who give so freely of their time and the participating Councils for their continuing support.
I personally have seen this competition grow from approximately 150 persons present to tonight’s 700 people. Local politicians along with their council officers and people active in their communities. I have watched you all be it Nationalist, Unionist, Protestant, Catholic, North or South but many of you all go away and remain in touch with one another.
The catalytic effect of this integration of people from the whole island engaged in a friendly competition of civic pride is immense indeed and a wonderful example of how we bring a cohesive community spirit to the whole Island of Ireland.
Co-operation Ireland values this competition as a key driver in community development. It is worth taking a moment here to quote the words of J. Waters in the Politics of Community Development:
“The idea of community development is not simply a gimmick with a nice sounding title. It is to do with a fundamental view of human beings and their relationship with the world and their own place.
To believe in community you need to think people, first, second and last.
You have to believe that people and the quality of their lives are not simply to be weighed in the balance but are the sole purpose of development and economic activity.”
Co-operation Ireland has a vision for the future of a shared, stable society where relationships between the peoples of the island of Ireland are based on equality and trust , and lead to prosperity for all. We have been involved in peace building on the island of Ireland since 1979. We encourage thousands of people to engage in cross-border activities, ranging from cultural and sporting events to economic and training based initiatives. This is done through giving people the opportunity to meet, share experiences and discuss opinions with those of a different religion or tradition.
I will close by saluting all of you – the participating communities – who are the lifeblood of the competition. This is your competition, this is your night. Celebrate and enjoy the occasion!”
Christopher Moran, Chairman Co-operation Ireland.
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