Young people find hope and solidarity at Dublin event on Climate Change

Global Solidarity Hub’s Youth for Action brought young people together to explore global justice, inclusion and collective action.

“The world is hell in a handbag. I’m allergic to injustice and events like this give me hope.”

That was the message from one young attendee at Global Solidarity Hub – Youth for Action, which brought young people from across Ireland together at TU Dublin on Saturday 24 October for a day of discussion, creativity and youth-led action.

Organised by the Global Solidarity Hub, a collaboration between Sightsavers Ireland, GOAL, and Trócaire, in partnership with Black and Irish, the event was facilitated by representatives from the National Youth Council of Ireland. The free event brought together young people aged 18-30 to explore issues including climate justice, human rights, disability inclusion, equality, and global solidarity.

The event focused on the importance of meaningful youth participation, encouraging young people to share their perspectives, build connections, and explore how they can contribute to positive change.

In her opening keynote, youth advocate and policy leader Aisling Maloney challenged organisations and decision-makers to move beyond tokenistic engagement and ensure that young people have a genuine influence on the decisions affecting their lives.

“Being invited into a room isn’t the same as having influence,” Maloney said.

Young people find connection and hope through collective action

Throughout the day, participants took part in interactive workshops, discussions and creative activities exploring how young people can contribute to a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable world.

Reflecting on the event, another young attendee said:

“Today was a meaningful experience. I enjoyed connecting with young people from different backgrounds, exchanging ideas, and learning from their experiences. It strengthened my belief in the importance of solidarity, inclusion, and working together to create positive change in our communities.”

The spirit of the day was also captured in a collaborative artwork by Stephen Considine, founder of Irish mental health clothing brand BiPolar Bear Wear, featuring handwritten messages from participants, including “Your voice matters,” “You deserve to take up space,” and “Action over perfection!”

These messages of encouragement and collective action reflected the wider spirit of Youth for Action, where young people were invited to share their perspectives and explore practical ways to make a difference.

From ideas to action

An interactive World Café brought together young advocates and changemakers, including James Casserly, Sightsavers Ireland Equal World Youth Champion and accessible travel advocate, and Dafe Pessu Orugbo, award-winning artist and musician.

Workshops explored themes including climate justice, campaigning, disability inclusion, and responsible communications, while a screening of Sightsavers Ireland’s documentary Equal World? highlighted the experiences and perspectives of young people with disabilities around the world.

A youth-led Open Space session, facilitated by Black and Irish Founder Leon Diop, encouraged participants to explore the issues that matter most to them and consider practical ways to take action.

The event also featured live performances from Abood Aladham, Hewan, and Farah Elle, bringing music and cultural expression into conversations about global solidarity.

Creating inclusive spaces for youth participation

Accessibility and inclusion were central to Youth for Action, with Irish Sign Language interpretation, a dedicated sensory/quiet room, earplugs, and opportunities for participants to engage through different discussion formats.

The event reinforced the importance of ensuring that young people with disabilities and those from diverse backgrounds are not only represented in conversations about global challenges, but have meaningful opportunities to participate and influence outcomes.

Reflecting on the event and the importance of creating opportunities for meaningful youth participation, the Global Solidarity Hub organising partners said:

“What stood out was the willingness of young people to share their experiences, listen to different perspectives, and encourage one another to take action. Youth for Action was about creating a space where those conversations could happen, where everyone had an opportunity to contribute, and where young people could see the value of their own voices.”

The event was recognised as an Associated Event of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026. Youth for Action was supported by Dóchas, the EU Presidency Citizen Engagement Sub-Grant, and Irish Aid.