Dublin Citizen/Youth Consultation a great success

Gaining Inspiration in the Sea for Society image gallery
(Photo:Olivia Daly-AquaTT)

Dublin's prestigious 'Science Gallery', in the grounds of the historic Trinity College, was the venue for Ireland's second Citizen/Youth consultation last Saturday (25th May). 

Introductions (Photo:Olivia Daly-AquaTT)

Participants between 18-28 years of age and drawn from over 200 applicants, gathered to create new ideas and options around the six subject areas of Transport, Energy, Food, Leisure & Tourism, A Place to Live, and Human Health under the guidance of Michelle Devaney of NUI Galway, along with Olivia Daly and John Joyce of AquaTT. 

Discussing ideas and options (Photo:Olivia Daly-AquaTT)

Special attention was given to the two nationally allocated subjects of Food and A Place to Live, with over 80 ideas being generated.

Group work(Photo:Olivia Daly-AquaTT)

Participants reported that they enjoyed the event and that it broadened their knowledge and understanding of the Seas. In particular, the 'Collective Intelligence' methodology employed, where participants are asked to consider themselves as individual cells in a gigantic collective 'brain' was very much appreciated as a way of creating and exploring new ideas.

Exploring hands-on science in The Science Gallery(Photo:Olivia Daly-AquaTT)

First Citizen/Youth Consultation Carried out in Ireland

Michelle Devaney (NUIG) gets the ideas rolling in Galway

The first Citizen/Youth consultation to be carried out in Ireland under the Sea for Society project took place last Saturday (18th May) in the Salthill Hotel - overlooking the waters of Galway Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Some twenty participants took place in the consultation, which was led by Michelle Devaney of NUI Galway and John Joyce of AquaTT, ably assisted on the computer software by Olivia Daly of AquaTT who also managed the displays and paperwork for the event.

Discussion and debate over Options generation in Galway

Over seventy ideas related to the six topics of Leisure & Tourism, Human Health, Transport, Energy, Marine Food and A Place to Live - with additional time being given to consider the last two topics since they are to be considered as national priority subjects.

The group pose for a photo at the end of a very productive day

(all photos by Olivia Daly - AquaTT)

Feedback from the participants on the organisation of the event was very positive, with many commenting that the 'Collective Intelligence' method employed was extremely enjoyable to use and a great way of identifying and discussing ideas from a group.

The second Citizen/Youth consultation in Ireland will take place this coming weekend on Saturday 25th May in Dublin at the Science Gallery attached to the famous Trinity College.