Words That Change the Weather: A Winter Talk on Youth, Creativity & Climate

Words That Change the Weather

A Winter Talk on Youth, Creativity & Climate

Overview

Words That Change the Weather is a seasonal gathering exploring how creativity, spoken word and environmental storytelling can empower young people across the island of Ireland to advocate for change. The session combines a keynote talk, poetry performance and facilitated conversation to create a reflective winter space for young people, educators, youth workers, environmental practitioners and community leaders from Northern Ireland and the border counties.

This winter gathering offers a moment to slow down, connect and find fresh inspiration as the year draws to a close.

Session Outline

12:00–12:15pm Arrival & Introduction
A warm winter welcome with tea, coffee, snacks and an introduction to ECO-UNESCO.

12:15–12:50pm Keynote Talk & Poetry by Cat Brogan
A poetic keynote exploring how creativity and place-based storytelling empower young people to voice climate concerns, identity and hope, grounded in Cat Brogan’s cross-community experience and interspersed with poems on land and belonging.

12:50–1:10pm Facilitated Conversations
Small-group discussions to reflect on local environmental priorities, creativity in youth work or education, and opportunities for cross-border youth collaboration.

1:10–1:30pm Q&A and Closing Reflection
An open space for questions followed by a closing poem.

1:30-2:30pm Lunch
Enjoy a relaxed vegetarian meal to continue conversations and connection.

About Cat Brogan

Cat Brogan is a poet, educator, host and producer and project manager from Omagh. She has performed at festivals (Latitude, Electric Picnic, LFest), won Slams (BBC Edinburgh Fringe, Belfast Poetry Cup), been published (The Golden Shovel, Dedalus, Boshemia) and featured on BBC and RTE. Cat graduated from Goldsmiths University with an MA as a Writer/Teacher as part of the Spoken Word Education Programme which led to being a full time poet in a London Secondary school. Poetry education is the subject of her TEDx Talk and she has presented at academic conferences and published in journals. On a British Council funded programme in Malaysia, she met her partner and co-founded a LGBT social centre in Kuala Lumpur regularly programming queer cultural events. Currently based in Inishowen, she co-founded Omagh Pride in 2021.

About ECO-UNESCO

ECO-UNESCO is an environmental education and youth organisation that works to empower young people to take action for the environment across the island of Ireland. From schools to youth clubs and communities, ECO-UNESCO supports young people to make a difference while having fun, learning new skills and building confidence. We do this through our Young Environmentalist Awards, hands-on workshops and training, as well as youth programmes like Youth for Sustainable Development, Youth Climate Justice Programme and ECO-Choices.