Ar Scáth A Chéile
On 30th April 2009, Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge held a co-operation seminar for all voluntary Irish language organisations. The seminar was held to provide opportunities to Irish language organisations to achieve practical synergies by working together to provide improved services to Irish language speakers.
Gaps in the Irish language sector were identified, and methods discussed to tackle these said gaps, using the concept of interorganisational co-operation, within the resources already available to the sector.Éamon Ó Cuív T.D., Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht affairs officially opened the event. It was mentioned a number of times throughout the seminar that the intention was to create processes not structures.
Pádraig Ó Ceithearnaigh, Leas-Stiúrthóir of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, discussed the many different methods of co-operation and the issues surrounding this topic.
The obstacles and challenges to interorganisational co-operation were also examined. A series of steps were proposed which organisations can take to identify co-operation opportunities, from simple networking, to collaborating on major projects.
This was the second seminar in the ‘Ar Scáth a Chéile’ series, and since the first seminar was held, information has been gathered from Irish language organisations throughout the country as to the areas where they are functioning. This information was mapped, and this map was shown at the seminar, to show the geographic gaps in the areas in which Irish is being promoted on the ground. The map can accessed at the following link, however Google Earth must be downloaded to your computer beforehand. MAP
The audience broke into smaller groups to discuss the opportunities to co-operation which individual organisations faced. All Irish language organisations are working to promote the Irish language in one way or another, but it is important to ensure that the organisation work together rather than parallel to one another. Many practictal suggestions were proposed as to ways which particular orgaisations could co-operate together, Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge will compile and publish these recommendations in the coming weeks.
An Chomhdháil will work to identify and take advantage of the co-operation opportunities which will enable organisations to promote the Irish language and the work of the voluntary sector more effectively and efficiently. That same afternoon, a public relations seminar was held, entitled ‘Scaip an Scéal’.
Open discussion followed this event, chaired by Gormfhlaith Ní Thuairisg, of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. The audience had an opportunity to seek advice and discuss their concerns with members of the media. Members of the panel included Harry McGee, of the Irish Times, Sinéad Crowley of RTÉ News, Pádraic Ó Ciardha, of TG4 as well as Tomás Ó Síocháin, of Nuacht TG4.
The public relations seminar was open to all organisations promoting the Irish language, and the positive feedback received would suggest that the organisations involved learned a lot on the day.
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Second Co-operation Seminar in Preparation
Ar scáth a chéile, a co-operation seminar for the Irish language sector, will be hosted by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge on 30 April between 09.30-13.00 in the Mont Clare Hotel, Merrion Square, Dublin 2.
The seminar will have the following aims:
- To provide opportunities to Irish language organisations to achieve practical synergies by working together to provide improved services to Irish language speakers.
- Gaps in the Irish language sector will be identified, and methods will be discussed to tackle these said gaps, using the concept of interorganisational co-operation, within the resources already available to the sector.The seminar is intended to create processes not structures
At the first session in this series of seminars, there was much discussion on co-operation opportunities within the sector. It is now time to take practical steps to achieving co-operation between organisations around the country.
Pádraig Ó Ceithearnaigh, Leas-Stiúrthóir of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, will discuss the many different methods of co-operation and the issues surrounding this topic.
The obstacles and challenges to interorganisational co-operation will also be examined. A series of steps will be discussed which organisations can take to identify co-operation opportunities, from simple networking, to collaborating on major projects.
Information has been gathered from Irish language organisation throughout the country over the past few months as to the areas where they are functioning. This information has been mapped, and this map will be shown at the seminar, to show the geographic gaps in the areas in which Irish is being promoted on the ground.
All Irish language organisations are working to promote the Irish language in one way or another, but it is important to ensure that the organisation work together rather than parallel to one another.
A case study will be examined to show successful examples of interorganisational co-operation, as well as practical ideas of how organisations can work together at a local level. Group work will follow, with participants discussing the ways in which their own organisations can identify and take advantage of the co-operation opportunities which will enable organisations to promote the Irish language and the work of the voluntary sector more effectively and efficiently.
Further information on this seminar is available on www.gaelport.com or by sending your query to eolas@gaelport.com.
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Co-operation seminar organised by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge
The leaders of Irish language organisations funded by Foras na Gaeilge came together last Thursday at a co-operation seminar organised by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge. The seminar was held to explore and foster opportunities for co-operation between Irish language organisations around the country.
The seminar began with a keynote speech by Dr. Helen Ó Murchú, which was set out the challenges which Irish language groups face. Speaking in light of the current economic climate, where emphasis is always placed on bottom line, Dr. Ó Murchú referred to the necessity for Irish language organisations to be more effective and more efficient, given that they are working with less money and less staff. Dr. Ó Murchú cited the importance to working to achieve a common agreed vision, rather than letting economic difficulties drive the sector.
Leaders of each organisation presented their aims for the coming year, and discussed their current methods of co-operation already being undertaken, as well as the co-operative opportunities available to them. After lunch, three discussion forums were formed, under the headings: Education; Irish in the community; and lobbying, which gave the organisations a chance to discuss Dr. Ó Murchú’s recommendations in detail and to agree co-operative projects.
Among the main recommendations proposed during the seminar were:-
- An agreed strategic plan for the Irish language voluntary sector, with the roles pertaining to the individual organisations to be clearly stated and agreed.
- Co-operative projects to be implemented subject to agreed criteria.
- An Chomhdháil to organise a seminar on public relations for Irish language groups to improve the image the language has in the media.
- Training to be provided through An Chomhdháil to provide the best use of skills across the sector.