Mayo woman amongst group selected for prestigious “activist bootcamp”

Mayo woman Latisha McCrudden, was amongst a group of just 21 people selected for a prestigious “activist bootcamp” that took place recently. McCrudden, who is based in Belmullet, was selected to participate in the Alice Academy for Activists due to her work on social justice campaigns.

Ms McCrudden, who currently studies Law at the University of Galway, advocates for women and children who experience domestic abuse. As a member of the Irish Traveller community, she has spoken on panels as a Traveller youth changemaker, and highlighted the need for better support for the community. 

The brainchild of Martina Quinn, Alice Academy for Activists was established and run by Alice Public Relations, an agency of which she is the founder and CEO. She said the agency was created ‘to create change that makes Ireland and the world a better place. Since we were established in 2015, we’ve worked on campaigns on gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, climate action, healthcare, access to education and training, children’s rights, integration, and lots more’.

The agency brought together activists from across the nation in Dublin last week, with an aim to improve their skills and knowledge in areas such as campaign strategy, fundraising, political engagement, media relations, and more.

Several well-known campaigners appeared as special guests over the four days, including Ailbhe Smyth, who led Ireland’s campaign to repeal the Eighth Amendment; human rights lawyer and social justice campaigner Noeline Blackwell; migrant rights activist Teresa Buczkowska; and Senator Lynn Ruane.

Speaking about the event, McCrudden said: “Unfortunately, in recent years, issues such as polarisation, disinformation and misinformation, and the rise of the Far Right have increasingly impacted on our clients and wider networks. There are negative forces in the world today that are seeking to sow hate in communities across Ireland and further afield. 

“Against that backdrop, I believe it is crucially important that we have a vibrant activist community – and that progressive campaigners have access to the skills and information they need to run effective campaigns – to stop this tide of hate and negativity. And that’s what the Academy is all about.” she added.

Ms McCrudden praised the group of activists saying that those at the agency  ‘learned as much from the group of activists – including Latisha - as they learned from us.’

“The passion and commitment from Latisha and the 20 others who joined her have left me with renewed hope for the future. These are people who are committed to working to make sure Ireland is a welcoming, safe, inclusive and fair society for all.” she concluded.