To celebrate the impact that Gaisce has made to the lives of young people over 40 years, the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins is asking you to ‘Be The Arrow’. Read his message below!
Active citizenship requires the will and the opportunity to participate at every level and in every way – in the words of Raymond Williams, ‘to be the arrow, not the target’
Ar feadh 40 bliain anuas bhíodh ról riachtanach ag Gradam an Uachtaráin – Gaisce chun daoine óga a spreagadh le tabhairt faoi thionscnamh agus tabhairt faoi thionscnaíocht a théadh i bhfeidhm go dearfach ina phobal. Glacann na tionscnaimh seo le héagsúlacht agus tugann sé deis don rannpháirtí tuiscint a fháil ar a gcumas, beag beann ar a gcúinsí. I 2025, tá níos mó daoine óga páirteach ná riamh roimhe seo, trasna réimse leathan dár bpobal.
Society is strengthened when it supports a diversity of experiences and perspectives. The promotion of an inclusive society is one to which every person can make a valuable contribution.
Achieving equality is not simply about opportunities for the individual, it is also about how we change our spaces and our systems to ensure they actively drive and encourage inclusion.
To mark its 40th anniversary, Gaisce is calling on people across the country to Be the Arrow by participating in a special challenge during the month of May.
This challenge, open to everyone, can be done as part of a community, in a school, in a workplace or as an individual.
As Patron of Gaisce, may I offer my best wishes to all those who will be participating in Be the Arrow this May, be it as part of the Volunteering Challenge, a Physical Challenge or a Skills Challenge.
Guím gach rath oraibh don todhchaí.
Beir beannacht.
Michael D. Higgins
Uachtarán na hÉireann
President of Ireland
