Over 80 delegates from all across the globe descended on St. Angela’s College, Sligo, from 2nd – 5th of April, to take part in The Partnership for Education and Research about Responsible Living (PERL) Conference. On Thursday morning the 3rd of April, Minister of State for Training and Skills, Mr. Ciarán Cannon, T.D. officially opened this International Conference held on campus.

The Head of Home Economics, Ms. Amanda McCloat and lecturer in Home Economics, Ms. Helen Maguire are two of four members of the PERL Network representing Ireland. As long standing members of PERL, Ms. McCloat and Ms. Maguire led the Home Economics Department’s successful bid to host the conference following a lengthy competitive process.

Ms. McCloat exclaimed: “We are delighted to welcome the conference to Ireland for the first time since the establishment of the PERL network. We are very humbled to think that from all of the countries around the world involved, the PERL team chose Ireland, and St. Angela’s College, Sligo as the venue for this event.” During the four days on campus the 80 delegates who travelled from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe attended presentations from experts on education for sustainable and responsible living, including from the United National Environment Programme (UNEP) and UNESCO. A number of social events showcasing Sligo and Irish culture were organised for each evening.
Dr. Anne Taheny, President of St. Angela’s College noted “This is a very exciting week for Ireland, for Sligo and for St. Angela’s College. We are fortunate to be the first college in Ireland to host the conference, attracting delegates from all over the world. The Home Economics Department, in particular Ms McCloat and Ms Maguire must be commended for their work on making this international event on campus a great success. The College is proud to be associated with the distinguished members of the PERL network.”

The conference, which was closed Friday night with a Civic Reception held at the Town Hall with Mayor of Sligo, Cllr Marcella McGarry, was an accomplishment for all involved. This is the second International Conference hosted in recent years by the Home Economics Department. In 2010, the College hosted the International Federation for Home Economics Council, with over 200 delegates visiting from five continents.  Ms McCloat stated on the final night, “We are overwhelmed at the reaction to the PERL conference. The delegates commented on the beautiful setting of the campus on the shores of Lough Gill along with the warmth and hospitality they experienced at the College and in Sligo.”  She added that she hoped this would open further opportunities for international events at St Angela’s College and attract more tourists to the North West region.

PERL is an international partnership of over 140 institutions of research and higher education from over 50 countries which develops methods and materials to encourage people to contribute to constructive change through the way they choose to live.
By stimulating education for sustainable living, PERL participates actively in the U.N. Decade of Education for Sustainable Development and the 10 Year Framework of Programs on Sustainable Consumption and Production, as well as in numerous other global processes for a more sustainable future.
PERL is an Erasmus Academic Network supported by the European Commission as well as by UNEP, UNESCO, the Norwegian Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion; the Swedish Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Environment of the Netherlands, and the Italian Ministry of Land, Sea and Environment.
Sustainable lifestyles require efficient infrastructure as well as responsible choices on the part of the individual. Such change requires reorganising of our daily lives, how we socialise, share and educate. Through education for sustainable living PERL seeks to strengthen individual awareness and to cultivate multi-stakeholder alliances which promotes active involvement towards a more suitable future.

For more information on programmes in the Home Economics Department, which integrate components of responsible living and education for sustainable development visit the Home Economics section of the website

Photo: Ms Helen Maguire; Lecturer, Ms Amanda McCloat; Head of Home Economics Department, Ms Victoria W. Thorsen; Director of PERL, Minister Mr Ciarán Cannon T.D. and Dr Anne Taheny; President of St. Angela’s College.
Photo by: Carl Brennan