2021 Exchange

Going Virtual

With the 2021 Exchange also proving to be impossible the Club was delighted to support a proposal from the Highland Park/Highwood Club for a for virtual TABU workshop, incorporating NI TABU students and students from Highland Park and Waukegan Schools, over two Saturday 3hr sessions run by professional facilitators in March 2021. This project would be challenging and, although not as good as a physical visit as there was no social interaction, would be very beneficial to the students and the Club was delighted that all 6 TABU students Patrick Glover - Rathmore Grammar School, Conor Kennedy - Friends' School, Aoife McCallin - St Dominic's School, Catriona O'Hagan - St Louise's Comprehensive College, Alexandra Stafford - Belfast High School and Elisa Swain – BRA were very keen to participate as well as 2 of the close-run interviewees Aaron Cochrane - Campbell College and Eimear McKenna - Our Lady & St Patrick’s College.

The Workshop theme was Colonialisation and Race around the World and the US facilitators sent through pre-workshop documentation including 8 short 10min videos covering Aboriginals, Native Americans, Civil Rights, Capitalism and Socialism, Civil unrest in the US and one prepared by the Imperial War Museum on the 'Troubles'. The NI students were supported by YMCA's Peter McNeice as a facilitator in their preparations and during the workshops. His support for the NI students was invaluable having preparing the students in advance, supporting them throughout the process and runing a wrapping up session.

The sessions, interspersed with break-out rooms for discussions, were impressive; and were well run by the facilitators. All the students participated very well, found it very useful and were very appreciative for the opportunity to be involved.

It was different but very successful!