Practice into Theory: Learning from an act of civic engagement
Yvonne McKenna (Volunteer Centres Ireland)
Abstract
As part of Give It A Swirl Day 2008, the national day of volunteering, a group of University College Dublin (UCD) students volunteered to improve the physical appearance of Rosemount Estate in Dundrum. Working alongside the UCD students were UCD staff, employees from Dell and the Bank of America and local residents. The 'face lift' involved painting shed doors, stairwells and railings. This paper considers the event with respect to the four conference themes and uses it to explore the potential of, and possibilities for, higher level education and civic engagement.
What was the impetus behind the students’ involvement and what role did their educational institution play? Further, what roles should and can educational institutions play in facilitating engagement? In terms of practice, were there practical difficulties of getting involved and how can we address these? If there were not, can other educational institutions learn from it? Can we draw on examples such as this to inform policy? Working together will give us a strong voice. Finally, partnership. The success of the Rosemount event relied on individuals and organisations – very different kinds of organisations – working together to achieve a common goal. Partnership can go on achieving after an event, however. What has been the impact of partnership on all involved and what might be usefully done with that learning?
