Students of Presentation College Currylea were invited by UNICEF Ireland Ambassador, Actor Stephen Rea and his co-stars Cillian Murphy and Mikel Murfi to the set of the sold-out Galway International Arts Festival play Ballyturk, in the Black Box Theatre on Friday 19th July, as part of the “It’s About Us!” youth programme run by the children’s organisation.

Stephen Rea, who has witnessed UNICEF’s work for children first-hand, including visiting Syrian refugees in Jordan, talked about his own experiences and encouraged the young people to continue to stand up and take action to make the world a better place for all children.

Stephen Rea, Cillian Murphy and Mikel Murfi discussed with the students their interests, inspiration’s and challenges relating to their own lives and acting careers. The actors also submitted their votes on their priorities for the world from the shortlist on the UNICEF website www.unicef.ie/ItsAboutUs  that included equality, climate change and ending poverty.

The students were volunteering during their summer holidays for UNICEF Ireland after taking part in the “It’s About Us!” workshop with their teacher Ms Gurney last April. It’s About Us! is a series of workshops and online actions designed to inform young people in Ireland about issues facing their peers around the world and to inspire and enable them to build a world they want to live in.  The girls were in Galway trying to get as many young people as possible to vote on their priorities for the world from the UNICEF shortlist.y.

The volunteers with be attending the special Youth Summit in Dublin Castle on 19 September 2014, where young people will present their ideas to An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan TD ahead of the UN Summit on the next Millennium Development Goals.

UNICEF Galway 18 07 14 007
Students meeting Stephen Rea, Cillian Murphy and Mikel Murfi whilst volunteering during their summer holidays for UNICEF Ireland
UNICEF 18 07 14
Students meeting Stephen Rea, Cillian Murphy and Mikel Murfi whilst volunteering during their summer holidays for UNICEF Ireland
UNICEF 18 07 14
Stephen Rea & Cillian Murphy submitting their votes on their priorities for the world from the shortlist on the UNICEF website

 

UNICEF Galway 18 07 14 010
The girls in Galway getting as many people as possible to vote on the UNICEF shortlist
UNICEF Galway 18 07 14 015
The girls in Galway getting as many people as possible to vote on the UNICEF shortlist.
UNICEF 18 07 14
The girls in Galway getting as many people as possible to vote on the UNICEF shortlist.
UNICEF Galway 18 07 14 021
The girls in Galway getting as many people as possible to vote on the UNICEF shortlist.
UNICEF 18 07 14
The girls in Galway getting as many people as possible to vote on the UNICEF shortlist.