The STAND Student Festival has made its return to NUI Galway and campuses across Ireland, putting stories of hope, determination, and resilience centre-stage.
Run by students, for students since 2013, the STAND Student Festival will be running until the 12th of November and will bring award-winning photography, film and events focused on global justice to the NUI Galway campus.
The theme of this year’s festival is ‘Resilience,’ which will celebrate young people’s courage and creativity in rising in the face of global challenges. The #RiseUp exhibition will spend a week on NUI Galway campus from the 8th to 11th November 2021.
Students and staff across Ireland are invited to visit the travelling exhibition and take the pledge to #RISEUP with STAND and the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) and join a community of like-minded students and recent graduates passionate about standing up for justice, equality, and inclusion.
The #RISEUP exhibition features illustrated portraits of 20 young activists and communities who have risen to act in the areas of climate change, gender equality, mental health and social inclusion. From Ireland to Kenya, Somalia to South Africa, Uganda to Afghanistan, each of these individuals and communities have demonstrated courage, creativity, and dedication in tackling global challenges.
Among those featured are Irish climate activist Saoi O’Connor, LGBTQ+ rights activist Alex Kofi Donker from Ghana, Disabled Women Ireland, and Senator Eileen Flynn, the first Traveller woman to have a seat at the Oireachtas.
Speaking on this year’s festival, Rachel McGongagle, Auditor of NUI Galway’s Stand Society stated she was excited to bring the STAND Student Festival to the NUI Galway campus.
“Coming from the virtual world last year, it is refreshing to have in-person events planned and I’ll be thrilled to witness students get involved, learn and engage with the theme of ‘resilience’ stated McGongagle.
The previous 18 months have been tough for so many students and through the theme of resilience we hope to inspire each other with the knowledge that even in the darkness, we can still fight against injustice and inequality, toward a sustainable future for everyone” continued McGongagle.
“The festival is a celebration of change-makers from across the globe, who have risen up against adversity to create positive change and their passion and projects will be visible at our week-long Rise Up Exhibition.”
“We are excited to bring the STAND Student Festival back on campus, and 2021 marks the biggest festival yet” states Caitriona Rogerson, STAND Activities Coordinator.
“There are lots of ways to get involved – check out our travelling Exhibition, attend an event or film screening on your campus, and be sure to sign the pledge to #RiseUp to join a community of like-minded young people passionate about standing up for global justice.”
