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Joe Murphy campaigning on corporate accountability at crucial UN negotiations in Geneva
Volunteer Ireland celebrated Joe Murphy in the Campaigning and Activism category for 2020 with a surprise trophy delivery including a note from President Higgins and a hamper of goodies.
The Volunteer Ireland Awards are the major annual initiative to celebrate volunteers in Ireland. The awards shine a light on the remarkable achievements of volunteers around the country by honouring them at a national level.
Joe Murphy was nominated in one of nine categories, the Campaigning and Activism category, for the passion and commitment that he brings to his volunteer work for Trócaire in Galway and nationwide.
As an outreach volunteer, Joe helps with raising awareness on issues of social justice in the community and schools. He also campaigns on business and human rights, land rights, environmental rights and for Palestinian rights.
Since Joe started volunteering 18 months ago, he has taken on every single activity that Trócaire have organised. In 2019, he supported Trócaire by speaking to the public about land rights in Guatemala at the Bloom festival in Dublin, at the Food & Crafts festival in Salthill, Galway, at the Ploughing championships and also at the Galway Christmas market. Joe showed real dedication in taking part in these events, tirelessly engaging with the public on global justice.
In October 2019, Joe travelled to Geneva with 5 other volunteers to meet with other INGOs, the Irish Ambassador to the UN and to witness the 5th UN session negotiations for a Treaty on Business and Human Rights. Upon returning from Geneva, Joe contacted local TDs to talk to them to support the treaty on Business and Human Rights.
In February 2020, Joe organised for a Trócaire exhibition “Face of Resistance” to feature in the Oranmore library. The exhibition was a great success with visits from local school students with their teachers thanks to all the work that Joe did in encouraging them to attend.
Joe receives his awards
Joe also took part in Trócaire’s Lenten campaign by visiting schools both primary and post-primary to talk to students about climate change and environmental rights, by taking part in Trócaire’s Game Changers cluster events and by visiting parishes to speak at mass for Trócaire’s Lenten campaign the first two weekends of Lent.
Since the lockdown, Joe has been really active with his campaigning work online and offline, and with his work with local schools organising human rights projects with them.
Joe’s most recent and significant piece of work has been the publication of his local parish Roevehagh’s 200th anniversary booklet for which all proceeds of the sales go to Trócaire.
Joe has been a pleasure to work with and he’s had a great impact on fellow volunteers by bringing energy, kindness and positive constructive ideas to conversations with the volunteer team. We are delighted that he is recognised for his hard work and are looking forward to working with him on many more activities in the future.
Congratulations Joe on your great achievements!
