Sustainability Graduate Spotlight - Donal Guerin
The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) are a call to action to end poverty and other deprivations. They go together with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change. Social enterprises are the foundation of a sustainable, fair and just economy and society. They are businesses which trade for a social or environmental purpose. Social enterprises demonstrate a better way to do business, one that prioritises benefit to people and planet and uses most of any profit to further their mission. Social enterprises contribute to reducing economic inequality, improving social justice and to environmental sustainability.
However, over the past number of years, the gap in per capita income growth between the poorest and richest countries has widened, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities aims to address this. Social enterprises aim to tackle inequality at a business level. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production address sustainable and efficient use of natural resources, reduce waste and embed sustainable practice into all parts of business. In relation to SDG 12, Ireland’s 2023 review of the SDGs, reports that Ireland is not meeting targets under material footprint and consumption.
In this edition of the Sustainability Graduate Spotlight series, we are shining a spotlight on TU Dublin graduate, Donal Guerin who advocates for the social enterprise sector in the Cork region.
Donal Guerin
Donal has lived in Cork City for nearly all his adult life and is originally from Knocknagree in North West Cork. Donal began his career as a researcher and lecturer in the field of social policy in University College Cork (UCC), with a particular emphasis on the voluntary sector. He did this for several years before moving into local government. Donal’s first local government role was as a research co-ordinator with Clare County Council before joining Cork City Council in 2002. Within Cork City Council he has been the Housing Officer with the local Traveller Community, the Social Inclusion Officer and the Local Area Housing Officer. Currently he is Senior Staff Officer within the Economic Development Section at the Council. A key objective for his team is to support a strong local social enterprise sector. He described the immense opportunities within this sector and his team are tasked with developing this further. When asked what opportunities lie behind the sector he says that:
“by embedding sustainability practices in the local economy you are supporting social enterprises who are committed to food production and the circular economy. You are developing employment opportunities for disadvantaged groups in poorer parts of the city and increasing the overall resilience of the economy through the development of not-for profit enterprises that are locally based”
Donal is currently preparing a guide for new social enterprises on available funding and compiling an economic monitor for Cork City. This will highlight the significant role played by the social economy sector for the city.
Educational Experience
Donal is a recent graduate of the TU Dublin Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course in Social Economy Enterprise Development. This course adds to his wealth of other academic achievements including a bachelors and masters degrees in Social Science from UCC and a Diploma in Local Government Studies from University College Dublin (UCD).
When asked what motivated him to apply for this course in Social Economy Enterprise, Donal told us:
“I have always been very interested in the possibilities arising from a stronger social enterprise sector to create a more sustainable economy. I wanted to equip myself with a detailed understanding of the policy context within which social enterprises operate in Ireland.”
Applying new Skills and Knowledge
We wanted to know what key skills and knowledge Donal has taken from the course that he has applied to his role with the Council. Donal says that the course provided him with strong insights into how Cork City Council could take leading role in shaping a strong and positive ecosystem for the local social enterprise sector. He found that the group project gave tremendous opportunities for discussion and learning from others. It also provided a strong network within which information about the sector could be shared.
#TUDublinSustainability
What does #TUDublinSustainability mean to you?
“To me #TUDublinSustainability means that it must permeate all aspects of our economy and society. A strong social enterprise sector is vital to achieving this.”