Kinsale, Ireland - A Sustainable Town

On April 20, Golden Year 4 (2007), Representatives of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association presented the Shining World Leadership Award to The Kinsale Town Council and to Ms. Louise Rooney. The award to the Town Council was accepted by Mr. Fred Tracey, the Mayor of Kinsale. The awards were given for implementing a sustainability plan for Kinsale Town aimed at protecting both the local and global environment. (Please refer to the articl "A Small Town Sets a Big Environmental Example" in News #171)

While attending Kinsale College, Ms. Roney and her fellow students produced the sustainability plan, which has received international recognition as one of the first such plans to involve a whole town; it is sponsored by the town council and has also attracted a large amount of support from the locals. The initiative started by Louise has also led to Kinsale being promoted to the status of a "Fair Trade Town," as the local shops have begun supporting and selling products which pay farmers a fair price for their produce.

Kinsale Town Council, Ms. Louise Rooney and Kinsale citizens have set a noble example for the whole world with their initiative in making a change for the health of the planet.

The appreciation letter from Ms. Louise Rooney