The one world society is a group of caring students interested in global issues and development, justice within trade and human rights, in addition to promoting awareness within the student body about these issues. The society is independent to any political or charitable organisations, thus having an open agenda responsive to the needs of the students more so than the organisations. This is a society run by and for students, although we work closely with many of the organisations. Our group is all about putting what we, the students, learn into practice both on and off-campus. Even though our constitutional goal is to raise awareness about the issues we are interested in, we reserve and support the right of every member to involve themselves further. The lifeblood of the society is the students, so new members are always welcome - you can contribute to this society in different ways according to what you're interested in, how much time you have and what you like getting involved in.

When we meet

We usually meet at 6pm in the Kane Building, room G20.

The issues...

We discuss such varying issues as world poverty, international debt, conflict and violence (international and national), the environment, the global peace movement, a fairer trade system (subsidies, ethical shopping and the Fair-trade mark), human rights, globalisation (pros and cons). Of course we are always forming new ideas and discussing new issues as they come up. Even if you are unclear about some of these issues, you’re uncertain about them or that you want to raise an issue important to yourself, come along and join our society and participate. We have so much to learn from each other.

What we do in college...

The one world society holds weekly events such as topical film/documentary screenings and fair-trade coffee mornings, where fair-trade coffee, tea and groovey stuff (cakes and whatnot) are provided. We have a different focus every week for fundraising and give out information about world issues and collect signatures for petitions and campaigns that the society is involved in. Over the last couple of years the one world society has encouraged the college caterers to sell Fair-trade products in all restaurants, bars and shops on-campus by raising awareness about fair-trade, collecting students' signatures supporting it, and lobbying the Students Union and the College Governing Body to adopt a fair-trade policy. We often have speakers or visitors to talk about different topics, normally in relation to campaigns the society is involved in. Everyone in the society works on different issues (like the civil war in Darfur) and then we all help when organising an event. Recently we have worked with non-government organisations (NGOs) like Oxfam, Trócaire, Amnesty International, NASC, Comhlamh and La Stada. Groups such as Debt Development Coalition and the Irish Fair-Trade Network plus many others help us with information and campaigning. Every year the society organises, with the help of other societies and NGOs, Global Rights Awareness week or GRÁ week. Last year (the 27thFeb – 3rdMar) there were films, discussions, speakers and social nights organised along with a good old final day coffee morning. It’s our biggest event during the academic year, so we need as many people to help and organise as possible.

We have travelled to events such as the first European Social Forum in Florence, the G8 protest in Genoa, and various conferences such as the Trócaire conferences which we helped organise in 1999, and Growing Awareness conferences.

We also work with organisations outside college: NGOs like Trócaire, International Famine Centre , NASC and Comhlamh, and groups such as the Cork Peace Alliance, Debt Development Coalition and the Irish Fair Trade Network help us with information and campaigning.

So...

• Are you interested in understanding different cultures and ways of life?
• Do you read about injustice and you feel that with the society you can do much more than on your own?
• Would you like to help create awareness on world issues?
• Would you like to help create awareness of world issues and promote change ?
• Do you like discussions, debates, organising and helping out in activities or designing campaign materials?
• Are you interested in meeting other people with similar (and sometimes opposite) interests? ?
• Would you like to be the change you want to see in the world?

Then come to a meeting (Mondays, 6pm, Kane G20) and find out more....