Four Transition Year students from Coláiste Muire who won the Ennis 2040 TY Programme presented their vision for Ennis to the Ennis Municipal District Councillors at Council Chambers today, giving them a unique opportunity to participate in local democracy and have their say on the future of their town.
Maya Hogan, Ciara Fitzpatrick, Amy Gibbons and Victoria Burns set out their vision for Ennis to become the first national ‘Green Mode’ town in Ireland based on their research, outputs from pilot tests and re-imagining how streets could be used.
Presenting on behalf of their classmates, the students put forward their proposals on how and why more environmentally friendly modes of transport can be deployed in Ennis and suggested interventions like a Bike Library to support a cycle to school scheme.
Following their successful presentation to the Councillors, the students and their classmates will travel to Dáil Eireann to present their Vision for Ennis in 2040 to Minister Eamon Ryan, Minister Norma Foley and Oireachtas Members on 10th May thanks to the support of Cllr. Clare Colleran Molloy, Mayor of Ennis.
Edel Malone, Teacher, Coláiste Muire, said, “This programme has provided our students with a wonderful opportunity to have their say and gain a great appreciation for how democracy works while also grasping sustainable economic and spatial strategy concepts. It has provided them with a fantastic platform to develop skills and knowledge that will stand to them in the future. It has also ignited a drive in them to encourage everyone to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. There is no stopping them now!”
Kevin Corrigan, COO, Ennis 2040 DAC and head judge, said “We designed this programme to encourage young people in Ennis to learn and engage with their local community and become active citizens. I would like to congratulate the students for seizing the opportunity so enthusiastically. They made a fantastic effort in identifying the issues and challenges and proposing solutions. Their presentation today really impressed the Councillors. We now need to seriously consider how some of their suggestions can be implemented.”
Coláiste Muire were the ultimate winners of the Ennis 2040 TY programme where almost 200 transition year students from four schools were tasked with developing a vision for Ennis in 2040 while considering sustainable practices, energy sources, accessibility and transport. Coláiste Muire were announced winners this week after beating stiff competition from St Flannan’s College, Rice College and Ennis Community College & Gaelcholáiste An Chláir.
A core focus of the Ennis 2040 TY programme was to encourage young people in Ennis to learn and engage with their local community and become participants in local democracy through active citizenship.
Ennis 2040 D.A.C. is responsible for implementation of the Ennis 2040 Economic and Spatial Strategy which was officially launched by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD on October 22nd, 2021. Ennis 2040 incorporates a wide range of economic, social and environmental considerations which provide a basis for targeted investment, balanced economic growth and a sustainable spatial pattern of development with quality of life at its core.
