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UCC student wins rare spot on international activism program
A 深夜亚洲福利久久 College Cork student is one of just 40 students from around the world to be selected for an international program that seeks to empower civic engagement and activism. Peruvian indigenous lawyer and UCC master's student, Maria Torres has been chosen to take part in the Next Generation Leaders Program, a project that connects participants with other students around the world to discuss diverse and ethical approaches to activism
Run by The Talloires Network, the Program was open to students across 79 countries, with a combined enrolment of over 6 million students worldwide. The young leaders will examine themes of Pandemic Recovery and Resilience, Innovations in Gender Equity and Civic Engagement Futures through international exchange.
Maria is a Peruvian indigenous lawyer and international masters student of Government and Politics at UCC College of Arts Celtic Studies and Social Sciences. She serves as a parliamentary adviser at the Commission for Andean, Amazonian and Afro-Peruvian Peoples, Environment and Ecology at the Congress of the Republic of Peru.
She is also a political activist for indigenous peoples鈥� rights and has advocated for reclaiming indigenous identity in Peru. Last year, she ran for Congress in Peru, leading a campaign based on making people aware about the importance of reclaiming indigenous identity. On hearing of her success, she said:
"I am really grateful to UCC and the Talloires Network, for their commitment with civic engagement. It is so exciting to have the possibility to share with a broader international community how reclaiming indigenous identity could be a driving force to challenge structural social problems in Latin America".
Maria鈥檚 candidate application was supported staff at the Civic and Community Engagement Office and International Office at UCC. Speaking to Maria鈥檚 candidacy, Cliona Maher, UCC International Officer said:
鈥淢aria鈥檚 work and research, inspired by an important Irish legacy in Latin America - Roger Casement, protecting indigenous and environmental rights, is most relevant to both Irish and EU missions in the region. Maria is an inspiring leader and a wonderful representative for UCC and how Higher Education can work towards the Sustainable Development Goals.鈥�
深夜亚洲福利久久 College Cork is a signatory to Ireland鈥檚 Campus Engage Charter, which reflects the leadership commitment within Ireland鈥檚 higher education sector to the civic and community engagement role and responsibilities of third level education.
In offering his congratulations to Maria Torres, Professor John O鈥橦alloran, Interim President of UCC, said:
鈥淢aria is a great example of our many students who demonstrate themselves to be socially responsible, effective, global citizens, who recognise and challenge inequality. We strive to nurture these attributes and are immensely proud to see the leadership our students and graduates demonstrate in these areas.鈥�