Columbans launch Young Journalist competition

The Missionary Society of St Columban is inviting young people to enter a journalism competition, an initiative to mark their centenary. Students aged 15-18, who are budding journalists, are asked to write an article or make a video report that informs, challenges and raises important issues on the topic: ‘MIGRANTS ARE OUR NEIGHBOURS’.

Teachers and parents are asked to alert young people to this opportunity.

Two separate strands will be held, one for students in Ireland and one for students in England, Scotland, and Wales. Each has two categories, writing and video, and the closing date for entries is 8th Feb 2018. Leading journalists in Ireland and Britain will be judging the entries. The winning articles and videos will be announced in Columban media on the 15 March 2018. There are cash prizes.

The objective is to encourage students to use their journalistic writing and mobile skills to look at a topical issue which is relevant to Catholic Social Teaching and resonates with Columban mission. Since 2000 the Missionary Society of St. Columban has committed itself in a special way to continue accompanying and defending the rights of migrants, and to address the underlying causes of the migration of peoples. Pope Francis underlines Church teaching about welcoming the stranger when he says: “We have a duty toward our brothers and sisters who, for various reasons, have been forced to leave their homeland: a duty of justice, of civility and of solidarity.”

Migrant and interfaith work has been a Columban priority in all 16 countries where the Columbans work. In Ireland, the Columbans run a ‘Columban Centre’ in Dublin which welcomes asylum seekers and provides English classes. Also, Columban Fr Bobby Gilmore was a founder member and is on the board of the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland. In England, Columbans have engaged with immigrant communities, and helped to run a house of sanctuary in Birmingham, called Fatima House, for women asylum seekers. Columbans have participated in ‘Welcome the Stranger’ Walks of Witness in London and Birmingham and there is a long-standing ministry to domestic workers.

All details on the competition website: www.columbancompetition.com