ActionTalks 2023 winner announced
Aimee Plunkett, a student at Colaiste Chiarain, Athlone, has today won ActionTalks 2023.
Aimee won the national finals, held today in Dublin’s Royal Irish Academy today. Judges included Jennifer O’Connell, Irish Times; Oisin Coghlan, Friends of the Earth; Maria Riordan, Irish Aid, Department of Foreign Affairs; and Jessica Mandanda, a gender and communications specialist from Malawi.
This year students wrote speeches on climate justice, economic barriers to accessing education, and valuing unpaid care work. ActionAid received 143 entries from 40 schools across 16 counties. Aimee took part in the regional finals, before going forward to the national final. For winning first place she will receive a €500 voucher and her teacher will receive a €100 voucher.
High Standard
Karol Balfe, CEO of ActionAid Ireland said: “The standard of the speeches submitted in this year’s competition was very high, and difficult to judge at every stage of the competition. It was heartening to see so many students across the country take part and share their views on global issues so articulately, and with such passion. Aimee had clearly researched the topic of unpaid care work at length. She developed strong arguments and then delivered the speech confidently. We are delighted to announce Aimee as the winner of ActionTalks and she should be very proud.”
