Making ConneXions with President Buzek

Monday 18 July 2011

Representatives from Cedar’s ConneXions project were among a number of cross-border groups who met with European Parliament President, Jerzy Buzek, on his recent visit to Ireland.  The ConneXions project, financed by the EU’s INTERREG IVA Programme and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body, supports people with disabilities to develop their social and community networks.

ConneXions is being delivered by The Cedar Foundation, in partnership with the National Learning Network.  It supports networks of people with disabilities in the Foyle/Donegal and Newry/Dundalk areas.  ConneXions has been delivering capacity building training to disabled people, who will now set up and develop social networks. The groups of ‘Social Network Drivers’ will encourage and support other disabled people to take part in activities in their local communities.

The event, which was hosted by Lucinda Creighton TD (Minister of State for European Affairs), took place at the Battle of the Boyne site in Co. Meath and the ConneXions delegation who met with President Buzek were from both sides of the border.  President Buzek highlighted the work of European funded projects which are enhancing the lives of individuals and communities through partnership working. 

ConneXions Social Network Driver Mairead Mathews from Dundalk said, “I thought the "The Battle of the Boyne" visitor centre was a fantastic place.  It was a beautiful place to hold the event as there is great sense of history there.  The President came across as a warm genuine person who said he was delighted to be in Ireland to meet us; he had a firm sincere handshake.  The visitor centre is a place I really want to come back to, I will be organising a trip there for our Connexions social network.”

Jim McKevitt from Newry who is also a Social Network Driver added, “I felt that as a group we were being recognised and acknowledged for being active in our community North and South, supporting and enabling disabled people to be less isolated and more engaged in civil society.”