A United Nations in the Heart of Galway

Having worked across 4 continents, I've experienced both the bad and good of humanity. Everywhere there is sadly some form of discrimination on grounds of race, religion, class or gender. But more importantly I've met ordinary people doing the most extraordinary things often in the most difficult of circumstances to help others without prejudice 
 
In an era when hate, greed & effects of human-made Climate/Biodiversity Crises are rising, it's more crucial than ever before to implement the UN’s ethos of ‘peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet’ & its 17 sustainability development goals  
 
So in that context I am so going to miss, after 24 years of doing so, helping organise activities at my university research centre designed to bring people from all parts of the globe together in a spirit of respect & friendship, to highlight & celebrate their own cultures, & to ensure colleagues from all continents had opportunities to experience, learn about & immerse themselves in the rich heritage & history of Ireland
 
Multicultural Festivals 
Our Data Science Institute(DSI) pioneered the hosting of end-of-year in-house Multicultural Festivals  
Every Christmas, staff & students decorate the building with festive bunting & transform its main room into a series of stands showcasing the cuisine, dress, images, music & customs of their homelands. Families & friends are invited to come along & enjoy the foods, non-alcoholic beverages & traditions on offer
As the event takes place at Christmas, a DSI member dresses up as Santa bringing gifts to the kids with exciting retro arcade games also on offer for the enjoyment of all. Over the years, music seisiuns have often been held blending Irish music with other ethnic traditions. Galway City mayors are invited so that DSIers can feel valued & accepted as part of local society. 
Check out https://lnkd.in/duEMfnST (2015) & https://lnkd.in/djGk5j47 (2023)
 
Our ‘Places of Birth’ on a World Map
DSI prominently displays a large interactive map of the world where its members mark, with pin & picture, their places of birth

Global Languages 
Another wall map showcases the wide range of languages spoken at DSI. Each nationality is encouraged to write the saying “Welcome to our workplace!” in their native tongue on a label that is pinned onto the map. 44 languages are currently on show
 
Experiencing the Living Heritage of Ireland 
Opportunities are annually provided to DSIers to take part in group trips to historical places & to experience Ireland’s indigenous living culture. These journeys have included visits to Croagh Patrick, Mayo Greenway, Athlone to Mullingar Greenway, Boyne Valley, Monaghan, Carlingford, Connemara, Inishbofin & trips along the River Shannon to Clonmacnoise
DSIers are also regularly encouraged to volunteer with local conservation groups
 
Hall of Heroes
We place along one corridor photos of our colleagues' graduation days. We call it the Hall of Heroes! 

A Celebration of World Cultures at a Galway Christmas

The annual Christmas party at my workplace is unique and it is something that I love helping to coordinate. For it is a wonderful vibrant celebration of the cultures and ethnic traditions of the people that happily work together at our university institute.
The taste, quality and variety of traditional foods on offer are consistently top class. As always so many volunteers do so much cooking/baking to ensure that all attendees enjoy an array of exotic tasty sweets, cakes and deserts.

As well as the food there was live music, dance, videos and posters from across the globe.
This year we had exhibits from fourteen countries/regions (Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, France, Ireland, India, Mediterranean, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Syria and samples of foods from Greece, Kurdistan, Lebanon and Slovenia).

Then there is the 'Greenscreen', the ‘Open Mike’, the ‘Giving Tree’ (gifts to local people in need), the Best/Worst Jumper Competition and a real live very jolly Santa (aka Niall O'Brolchain).
If only the rest of humanity got on as well as all the nations of the world at DSI/Insight NUI Galway! We must be what the United Nations aspires too and what governments need to emulate if the world is to work together to make a sustainable future for all forms of life.

Photo shows (clockwise the stands from Brazil, France, Ireland and Poland).
Nollaig Shona agus Áthbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh (Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year to all).