A beautiful, important and moving new book that collects stories, poems and drawings from young people from around the world, communicating their thoughts on what makes them feel like they belong.
The book launched in September at the GOAL NextGen Z-Change event, where two of the contributors, Aoife Sharkey from Ireland, and Sondra Mejia from Honduras, read excerpts from the work alongside an stunning exhibition.
Featuring work from renowned street artist and activist, Emmalene Blake, Nigerian Irish poet/performer Felispeaks and Turkish Animator and Illustrator, Mert Tugen, the exhibition explored themes of cultural identity, inclusivity and diversity, with both the book and the artwork responding to the question ‘What makes you feel like you belong?’
Victoria Walshe, GOAL Global Citizenship Manager, said of the work: “We want to tackle challenges of loneliness and social polarisation by creating an opportunity for people to reflect on how we all yearn to belong and to consider how we can all help others to feel like they belong. The theme feels more crucial than ever before. As a Humanitarian and Development Agency, GOAL encounters daily the challenges facing the global community.”
“It is not possible for any one country, community, or sector to end poverty, fight inequality, tackle climate change and provide sustainable livelihoods. We must collaborate to become a global network of citizens, united in our ambition to improve our world.”
Available for free online, and gathering over 29 contributions from Ireland, Ethiopia, Honduras and Sierra Leone, Uganda and Zimbabwe, you can read the Book of Belonging Free at the following link:
goalglobal.org/xchange/#belonging
Feature image: Siobhan Murphy, Vikki Walshe, Albert Ssebagala, Yvette Kuveya, Roisin Mcatamney, Mary Van Lieshout, Sondra Mejia, Aoife Sharkey, Indira Kelly, Deirdre Cuss, Jessica Murphy and Glenn Curtin pictured at the GOAL NextGen X-Change event
