<\/div>\n![\"http:\/\/www.ucd.ie\/t4cms\/MDP_AlGore185px.jpg\"](\"http:\/\/www.ucd.ie\/t4cms\/MDP_AlGore185px.jpg\")
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Romain Valadaud, Gearoid Fitzmaurice & Rachel<\/div>\n
Vannice pictured with Former US Vice President Al<\/div>\n
Gore (photo credit MRFCJ)<\/div>\n
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Dublin MDP students had the unique opportunity to volunteer with the Mary<\/div>\n
Robinson Climate Justice Foundation, in conjunction with the Irish government and<\/div>\n
many UN and NGO partners, in a conference entitled Hunger-Nutrition- Climate<\/div>\n
Justice: A New Dialogue putting people at the Heart of Global Development.<\/div>\n
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The conference involved many actors at all levels of the interface between Hunger, Nutrition,<\/div>\n
and Climate Justice. Current President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, T\u00e1naiste and<\/div>\n
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore TD and several other ministers<\/div>\n
were in attendance. In addition, private partners, leading world-wide academics, UN<\/div>\n
agency members, and leaders of grassroots organizations throughout Africa, South &<\/div>\n
Central America and Asia participated in panel discussions and small \u2018learning circles.\u2019<\/div>\n
Within these circles, topics including \u2018Empowerment,\u2019 \u2018Rights\u2019 and the linking of \u2018Local<\/div>\n
and National\u2019 interests were discussed and consensus recommendations were reached.<\/div>\n
The unique blend of high-level policy participants, NGO leaders and community-<\/div>\n
based organization developers allowed for the illumination of diverse perspectives.<\/div>\n
Students were able to present their own experiences to contribute to these discussions.<\/div>\n
Former Vice President of the United States of America, Al Gore, gave a rousing key note<\/div>\n
address, specifically mentioning the role that students can play in shaping the future of<\/div>\n
decisions and policies related to climate change, climate justice, and hunger. The<\/div>\n
conference culminated in many newly-forged connections between various levels and<\/div>\n
action plans to ensure that the effects of the conference would extend far beyond the<\/div>\n
two intensive days. We, students, certainly will use the experience to improve our<\/div>\n
understanding of the issues at hand and more importantly, the potential for solutions.<\/div>\n
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-Rachel Vannice 1st Year TCD-UCD M.Sc. International Development Practice<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Students from the TCD-UCD Masters in Development Practice (MDP) programme recently had the opportunity to meet with former US Vice-President Al Gore.\u00a0 A summary by first-year MDP student Rachel Vannice below. Romain Valadaud, Gearoid Fitzmaurice & Rachel Vannice pictured with … Continue reading