2009 Press Releases
22.09.2009
Professor Patrick Fitzpatrick, Head of the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science at UCC will welcome staff, students and the public to the launch of a photographic exhibition at the Western Gateway Building on Thursday, September 24th at 6.00 pm. The Exhibition will be launched by Brian Crowley MEP and will be followed by a public lecture at 7pm by photojournalist, Eileen O’Leary.
UCC’s Strategic Framework highlights “Exposure to diverse ideas, cultures, languages and experiences [as] a critical component of the academic and student experience” and the University is focussing on ‘International Development’, especially through the promotion of higher education in the developing world. Professor Fitzpatrick is currently leading the University’s strategy in this regard.
Photojournalist Eileen O’Leary, through her Breaking the Barriers Photographic Exhibition, explores the lives of ten people who are living with disabilities, in Lesotho, a small country in South Africa.
Eileen O'Leary is a freelance photojournalist, documenting social issues around the world and trying to make social change through the medium of photography and the written word. She has been photographing and writing about life in Lesotho on behalf of ‘Twinning the Kingdoms’ the Kerry based NGO since 2006. Eileen’s exhibition, Breaking the Barriers, documents the lives of ten different people in Lesotho with disabilities. The exhibition challenges, inspires and encourages people in Ireland to learn about the difficulties faced by people with disabilities in Lesotho; lack of access to education, training, employment, transport, essential services and discrimination.
“Eileen’s exhibition will tour universities and colleges in Ireland where I hope that it will highlight issues, raise awareness, create links between disability groups in Ireland and Lesotho and encourage collective and personal action from the people who view the photographs. It is my wish that the exhibition will provoke understanding and support and that it provides inspiration for people to take action” said Brian Crowley MEP.
The Photographic Exhibition and Public Lecture are being hosted by The School of Applied Social Studies and the Centre for Adult Continuing Education, UCC.
The Western Gateway Building is located on the Western Road, nearby Victoria Cross. All are welcome and admission is free.
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