Placements shed light on public consultations and food sustainability

Photographed above: Jessie O’Brien, Executive & Operations Assistant and Margaret Kelly, Public Affairs & Sustainability Executive with Conor Sheehan.

Irish food SMEs and the integration of sustainable practices in the Irish food retail industry and the role of public participation and consultation in the realisation of transport policy were the focus of third level work placements for two students at Cork Chamber this summer.

Mojabeng Mashale with Ashley Amato Public Affairs and Communications Executive.

Cork Chamber was pleased to facilitate third level work placements of Mojabeng Mashale, MSc Cooperatives, Agri-food and Sustainable Development UCC who undertook a Public Affairs and Sustainability placement and Conor Sheehan, MSc Government and Politics, UCC who undertook a Public Affairs and Communication placement.

Both students put the knowledge acquired from their master studies to practice while making a meaningful contribution at Cork Chamber.

To complement studies on Sustainable Food Systems and the Economics of the Agri-Food Market, Mojabeng undertook research on Irish food SMEs and the integration of sustainable practices in the Irish food retail industry. The study found that the role of retailer is largely viewed as one of leadership, knowledge management and sustainability initiative coordination. There is scope for retailers to be clearer about strategic focus to help SMEs make sense of their role and to work more collaboratively with them in the implementation of sustainable practices. The role played by retailers and the definition of that role will evolve over time in the context of sustainability implementation and supplier development and engagement.

Mojabeng, hailing from South Africa, studied in Ireland with support of the Department of Foreign Affairs Irish Aid programme. Her experience in Ireland enabled mutual learning and a rich cultural exchange.

As a graduate of politics and economics, Conor Sheehan drew inspiration from The Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) 2040 and Bus Connects Cork - the National Transport Authority’s plan for the delivery of a sustainable public transport network for the Cork Metropolitan Area. A live topic, Conor conducted research on the role of public participation and consultation in the realisation of transport policy, namely Bus Connects Cork.

The study examined the role and capacity that locally elected representatives have to co-create route design and solutions with their constituents. Conor’s findings included that public consultation on plans did not happen early enough on major projects and that public representatives often did not have adequate time resources to properly engage in the detail of plans.

Cork Chamber is proud to partner with UCC to support student placements. Every day is a school day - our workplace and network is undoubtedly enriched and benefits from the creativity and energy such connections bring.