At Localise, we believe that some of the most meaningful learning happens when people come together with openness, curiosity, and a willingness to support one another. Recently, we had the privilege of welcoming students from MacEwan University in Canada for a multi-day visit that embodied these values through shared learning, cooperation, and cross-cultural connection.
The visit began at the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman, where the students participated in an engaging and interactive workshop led by Jessica Farnan, Manager of the Youth and Education Service for Refugees and Migrants (YES), alongside her dedicated team. The session provided valuable insight into the experiences of unaccompanied minors in Ireland, offering space for thoughtful discussion about their lived realities and the broader challenges facing refugees in Ireland today.
Rather than a traditional lecture, the workshop encouraged dialogue. Students were invited to reflect, ask questions, and consider their own perspectives while listening to the stories and expertise shared by the YES team. It was an opportunity to deepen understanding while recognising the importance of empathy and informed advocacy in building more inclusive communities.
The following day, the group gathered at the DCU Innovation Campus, where Localise hosted a collaborative session bringing together MacEwan students and learners from the YES programme. The focus was practical and future-oriented: working together to build job-readiness skills.
“Thank you YES and Localise, I am truly captivated by this programme and the authenticity of it” MacEwan student
In a spirit of partnership, the students supported YES learners as they prepared CVs, rehearsed interview techniques, explored job websites, and discussed pathways into employment. What quickly became clear, however, was that this was not a one-sided exchange. Everyone in the room contributed knowledge, encouragement, and perspective. Participants learned from each other as equals, sharing advice, offering feedback, and celebrating progress together.
Moments of service flowed naturally throughout the day. Whether it was helping to refine a personal statement, practicing interview answers, or simply offering reassurance, the experience demonstrated how being of service to one another strengthens both confidence and community.
Just as important were the opportunities for social connection. The group shared a meal, creating space for relaxed conversation and friendship beyond the structured activities. Music became another bridge between cultures as participants collaborated on a Spotify playlist filled with songs tied to meaningful memories. Each track told a story, sparking laughter, nostalgia, and new discoveries while highlighting both the diversity and common ground within the group.
Visits like this remind us that cross-cultural cooperation is not only enriching, it is essential. When young people from different backgrounds come together, barriers dissolve and understanding grows. The MacEwan students and YES learners demonstrated that learning is most powerful when it is mutual, when every voice is valued, and when collaboration replaces hierarchy.
We are deeply grateful to Jessica Farnan and the YES team for their contribution, to the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman for hosting such a thoughtful opening session. We also want to thank the students from MacEwan University for their enthusiasm, generosity, and commitment to learning alongside others. Special thanks go to to the YES learners for their openness and indeed to Mat Halton and Christine Pope from MacEwan University for their coordination efforts, as well as to our three amazing volunteers from Castleknock Localise who ensured everything ran smoothly.
At its heart, this visit was about connection, people meeting as equals, supporting each other’s growth, and recognising the strength that emerges when communities work together. It is through experiences like these that we continue to build a more compassionate, inclusive, and cooperative future.
Stories from across the Localise community.
Subscribe to get the latest on news, community events and volunteering insights from young people straight to your inbox.
