PERL meeting in Sligo, Ireland
The International Environment Forum participates in the Partnership for
Education and Research about Responsible Living (PERL), which held its
annual joint meeting of work groups in Sligo, Ireland, on 2-5 April 2014.
PERL is a partnership of educators and researchers from over 140
institutions in more than 50 countries that are working to empower citizens
to live responsible and sustainable lifestyles. PERL aims to advance
education for responsible living by focusing on consumer citizenship,
education for sustainable consumption, social innovation and sustainable
lifestyles. PERL partners undertake research and discussion, and develop
teaching methods and materials. We were about 60 who gathered in Sligo in
north-west Ireland for the meeting.
PERL is coordinated by IEF board member Victoria Thoresen from Norway. She
opened the meeting along with the president of the college that hosted us
and the Irish Minister of State for Training and Skills. While we were
waiting for the delayed arrival of the Minister, IEF member Ismael Valesco
delighted the audience with a performance around the moth and the flame
about experience and sacrifice, inspired by the Baha'i writings. Another
mime performance later based on the lost lover pursued by the watchman was
equally well received. Ismael also led a workshop on the digital revolution.
I lead a PERL workgroup preparing toolkits for values-based education in
secondary schools. Other Baha'is participating in the meeting included Onno
Vinkhuyzen, a member of the workgroup, and two researchers on values-based
indicators from the University of Brighton, Gemma Burford and Tiina
Jaatinen, who have been testing the materials in schools. After the meeting,
I stayed on a few days in Ireland to give public lectures on climate change,
energy and human rights organized by the Baha'i communities in Ennis,
Limerick and Dublin.
PERL meeting participants
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Opening session: President of St. Angela's College; Irish Minister;
PERL coordinator Victoria Thoresen
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Presentation by Scoil Ursula Junior School on environment;
workshop on values-based indicators led by Gemma Burford and Tiina
Jaatinen
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Workshop on values-based indicators; Victoria and other participants
along the Garavogue river
Sligo
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Centre of Sligo, view from hotel; Glasshouse Hotel; Garavogue River
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downtown Sligo on the Garavogue River
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View from St. Angela's College, Lough Gill, where the meeting was
held; countryside near Sligo
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Irish coastline near Sligo
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Excursion to Markree Castle
One evening we went to Markree Castle for a dinner and to experience Irish
music and dancing.
Grounds of Markree Castle
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Markree Castle
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Entrance stairs and ceiling; the main hall
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Stained-glass window of Cooper family history; harpist in the main
hall; hall ceiling; the dining room
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PERL dinner at the castle; a poet recites Yeats
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Musicians from St. Angela's College played Irish music; there were
Irish dancing lessons; Onno dancing
The last evening, we were received by the Mayor of Sligo at the City
Hall, and heard about the 400-year history of the town.
PERL group with the Mayor in front of City Hall
The Irish countryside
After the PERL meeting, I was driven to Ennis, where the local Baha'is had
arranged a public meeting for me to speak on climate change and the energy
challenge in a beautiful local hall. About 50 people came, and there was an
excellent discussion afterwards. The next evening we drove down to Limerick
for another talk on the same subject for about 30 Baha'is, their neighbours
and pre-youth. Then I went on to Dublin for a talk at the National Baha'i
Centre on climate change and human rights. It was a chance to admire some of
the beautiful Irish countryside and meet wonderful people.
Glimpses of the Irish countryside
Glimpses of the Irish countryside
Irish countryside near Cliffs of Moher
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Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare
view inland from Cliffs of Moher
This was my first visit to Ireland, but hopefully not the last.