Human rights and social policy advocate Gráinne McGettrick has been announced as the new chairperson of human rights and development education non-governmental organisation 80:20 Educating and Acting for a Better World.
Gráinne was appointed on June 12th, 2018 and takes over the role from Gerry Duffy, who has acted as chairperson since 2006.
As with all 80:20’s Board roles, the position of chairperson is undertaken in a voluntary capacity.
Gráinne has been a member of 80:20’s Board since 2015 and has been involved with 80:20 since 2002 on 80:20’s study visit to Brazil, on the Finance Sub-Committee and as Staff Liaison on the Board between 2002 and 2011.
Speaking on her appointment, Gráinne said that she was “delighted” to take on the role.
“It’s an honour to be appointed chair of 80:20 with a history of education and active citizenship on human rights, underdevelopment and action in this context – now 20 years in the making.
I’ve been a supporter and member of the Board for many years and look forward to strengthening our governance to the highest standards as a small NGO which is a priority for the organisation in order to continue building trust and confidence with the public, donors and supporters.
“I am also hugely thankful to our outgoing chairperson, Gerry Duffy, whose leadership on the Board as chair of the Northern Ireland Sub-Committee, chairperson of 80:20 and as an educationalist has left its mark on the Board, on the organisation and programme work, particularly in the context of engaging young people and communities north and south of the border in Northern Ireland in creative human rights education interventions”.
Tony Daly, co-ordinator of 80:20 Educating and Acting for a Better World, added:
“Gráinne’s in-depth knowledge, experience and strategic approach to long-term thinking has been a rich source of support for us in 80:20 over a number of years. This is an exciting period for the Board and the organisation under Gráinne’s stewardship as we grapple with unjust finance, human underdevelopment and ongoing contradictions and challenges in realising the Sustainable Development Goals over the next five years under our strategic plan 2018-2022.”
Gráinne is currently policy and research co-ordinator with Acquired Brain Injury Ireland. Prior to this post she worked for more than ten years as policy and research manager with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland. Spanning over two decades, Gráinne has worked for a variety of advocacy and human rights campaigning organisations in the community and voluntary sector in the fields of disability, older people and dementia.
See more about 80:20’s current Board of Management here.