Fewer college drop-outs due to CDP

- Project impact on city outlined

Jennifer McMahon of UL officially launched Limerick City CDP's report

Limerick City Community Development Project (LCCDP) launched its annual report for 2012 in June and the report’s statistics underpin positive changes in people’s lives.

For instance, the project dispersed 166 bursaries* to third level students from Moyross, Southill, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Mary’s and St. Munchin’s.

“We know first hand, that due to delays with the (third level) grant system, the provision of funding by the CDP for registration, books and materials was vital for students to take up their places in third level,” said manager Juan Carlos Azzopardi.

The report was launched by the project’s new independent chairperson, Jennifer McMahon from UL.

Robert McNamara, Journalist

Robert McNamara

Robert McNamara from Corbally in Limerick City, has joined Changing Ireland Community Media Ltd on a long-term work placement as a journalist.

He is currently studying a degree in Journalism and New Media with sociology and politics at the University of Limerick as a mature student.

Robert is the current sports editor at An Focal newspaper and maintains a popular indie music blog. He has a keen interest in current affairs, print journalism, publication design, old and new media.

Robert competes in long-distance running and can often be seen hobbling around after a marathon.

He hopes to graduate from UL in 2014 and pursue a career in the media industry.

E: journalist@changingireland.ie T: 061-458090.

The challenges ahead in local development By Dr. Eileen Humphreys

Dr Eileen Humphreys

Dr Eileen Humphreys has written an article about local development in Ireland that is as up-to-date as you’ll find.

‘Local Development in Ireland: Review of the Current Position, Lessons and Future Challenges’ was published in August.

  

Dr Humphreys penned the piece for www.LDnet.eu which brings together views from across Europe on how best to support local development work. 

The UL and Thurles-based lecturer began by pointing out that co-operative working has been at the heart of rural communities in Ireland for a long time.

New UL course covers social regeneration

UL has launched a new sociology masters course focused uniquely for Ireland on ‘Youth, Community and Social Regeneration’.

Employment paths include youth and community work, research careers, policy development, and professional engagement in social regeneration.

A decade ago, UL had limited connections with disadvantaged communities in its host city, but there has been a big turnaround in recent years, particularly for instance by the sociology department and the media school.

The new MA aims to equip students with the skills to engage with issues relating to young people in the national and international context of community regeneration.

It offers “a critical forum where the complexities of social regeneration can be addressed.”

In launching the course, UL is building on its developing expertise in the areas of inequality and social exclusion, the welfare state, social change, youth and community and social regeneration.

The course can be done at higher diploma or masters level - depending on whether or not you’re up for the final 15,000 word dissertation!

Since the start of this year, an application fee applies to all postgraduate programmes.

For more info, email: martin.j.power@ul.ie or Cliona.Barnes@ul.ie

W: ul.ie/​sociology/​