Older and younger activists let down by broken promises and budget cuts

Older and younger activists exchanged experiences, reviewed strategies and shared campaign stories at a joint workshop hosted by Older & Bolder and The Union of Students of Ireland (USI) on the 24th in the Ashling Hotel in Dublin. Both organisations had been very active throughout 2012, with Older & Bolder leading a national campaign to reverse the cuts to home help services and the USI campaigning against rising college fees and cuts to the maintenance grant.

Activists from across the age spectrum shared a frustration in engaging with the political system. Many felt let down by broken promises, “sneaky cuts” and some were very critical of the impenetrable party whip system. 

However, there was strong agreement that coordinated and strategic national campaigns with clear, achievable goals can make a positive impact. Diarmaid O’Sullivan, Campaign Researcher with Older & Bolder said “One of the messages to come out of this workshop was the importance of sustaining momentum, not to give up at the first challenge and that the road to a campaign ‘win’ can take longer than initially expected”.  

Participants discussed how both groups experience stereotyping, which is often negative and sometimes pits generations against one another. Collaboration was seen as a positive way to combat such challenges. Laura Harmon, Equality and Citizenship Officer with USI said, “We were delighted to be part of this even. There is huge potential for older and younger people to work together towards a fairer, more equal Ireland”.