DCU Changemaker Network header
DCU Changemaker Schools Network
Conference

Conference

 

'What an honour it was to attend the DCU Changemaker Conference with enthusiastic, insightful, and innovative colleagues. The sharing of stories from each of the 19 schools and guest speakers highlighted responses to some of the most complex issues in society and our education system. This helped envisage the bigger picture of the Network and the road ahead. There was a special kind of energy in the room which facilitated trust, openness and reminded me why I love being part of the Network. I have left feeling inspired by the incredible work that is taking place in Irish schools and communities, connected to an incredible network of practitioners, and reassured of the difference we can all make in transforming lives and societies" 

Ashling Boylan, Change Leader, Francis Street School.

 

 

DCU Changemaker Schools Network Conference

In March 2022, the DCUCSN held its inaugural conference with 60 delegates from the DCU CSN. Schools from all over Ireland welcomed 4 new schools to the Network as well as fostered new friendships and connections.

Professor Daire Keogh opened the conference with Professor Anne Looney addressing the audience.

We were joined on the day by a host of speakers including:

  • David Puttnam
  • Elizabeth Zion
  • Ciara O' Connor Walsh from A Lust for Life

A panel including:

  • Dr Martin Brown (School of Policy and Practice, DCU)
  • Bernard Mc Hale (PDST)
  • Anna Mai Rooney (CSL)
  • Meave Corish (DCU CSN Principal)
  • Clare Mc Kenna (Newstalk)
  • Dr Patricia Flynn (School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music, DCU)

The day was hosted by Dyane Connor, RTE.

 

''The conference was professional, purposeful, and extremely positive and uplifting. While if provided the opportunity once again, to connect and network with Change Leaders from other Changemaker Schools, to hear about what Changemaking is like in their schools on a daily basis, it also provided us with current and new thinking by way of the keynote speakers and panel discussions. We were also given the opportunity to individually and collectively engage in critical and design thinking to plot the way forward through the 'Define, Discovery, Design, Dream' activity. The carefully selected keynote speakers and panellists ensured that the pillars of empathy, creativity, leadership, and teamwork were covered. Being part of the DCU Changemaker Schools Network has validated our 'changemaking' emphasis and the empathetic and creative efforts of all our staff. We look forward to engaging with more of this in the future, having been further inspired in our work by the Conference''

Siobhan Fitzgerald, seconded from Eglish N.S. to NCCA