The CGDE stall at Africa Day

Africa Day Limerick took place on Sunday the 30th of May in the grounds of Limerick City Hall, from 12 noon to 6 p.m.

The event was hosted by Irish Aid, Ireland’s overseas development programme, who work to tackle poverty and hunger in developing countries. The theme chosen by Irish Aid for Africa Day 2010 was that of ‘Food’, with a particular focus on issues such as food security and hunger.

Africa Day provided a fun, family oriented day out with interactive cultural and educational activities for children and adults, which celebrated and showcased the diversity of African cultures and societies. The 25^th of May is Africa Day, the official day of the African Union, and Africa Day Limerick was one of the events supported by Irish Aid around Ireland to encourage people to celebrate all the wonderful aspects of Africa, and to explore its diverse cultural, social and political life.

The work of the Centre for Global Development through Education (CGDE) is supported by Irish Aid, and they attended Africa Day, represented by a stall in the Education Zone, along with Action Lesotho, the Africa Centre, AkiDwA, Doras Luimni, the Ducuum Education Project, Trocaire, Value Added in Africa, Voluntary Service International, and Irish Aid. The Education Zone gave visitors a chance to interact with these development organisations and learn about their work in Africa through fun activities.

CGDE’s stall was a great success, as the colouring pictures of Lesotho and Uganda drew in the children, as did the Fairtrade chocolate and lollipops, and the children invariable brought their parents with them. The stall was also inundated with primary and early childhood care and development (ECCD) teachers looking for materials for their classes.

Music and Dance on the Main Stage

Music was an important part of the day, with African and Irish performers featured on the Music Stage all day including The Amazing Few, the Elikya Choir, Lady Sheila Musical Band, Lucky Crew and P-Starz. As well as these acts, there was a very popular African drumming workshop with Irish Aid which went on throughout the day. The Sports and Play area offered sports activities by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), and children’s art activities and a Family Treasure Hunt were also greatly enjoyed by the children.

Minister for State, Peter Power TD speaking at Africa Day

Art exhibitions were in place for the event, and, appropriate to the theme of the day, African food vendors offered a vast array of authentic African food and drink for purchase during the day.  The Speakers Corner featured an Africa Day Book Club discussion about Chinua Achebe’s classic novel, ‘Things Fall Apart’, and a public discussion chaired by Cathy Halloran, RTE’s Mid-West Correspondent, about ‘How to Build Ireland’s Engagement with Africa’, which the Minister for State, Peter Power TD, took part in.

Mr Nkhotha Machachamise, Lesotho Embassy representative, with CGDE staff at Africa Day

Minister Power later visited the CGDE stand. Representatives from the Embassies of Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Nigeria and South Africa were also in attendance, and the Ambassador of Ethiopia gave a speech. Africa Day was very successful in promoting Africa, and focussing on the many positive aspects of this diverse continent, rather than the more commonly recognised challenges faced by Africa; this ‘Africa Day’ festival helped to reiterate the need to fight poverty and exclusion together.