Soapbox Success for Blanchardstown Europe Direct Information Centre

The Blanchardstown Europe Direct Soapbox champion has her sights set on Brussels after a landmark win at the National Final at 6 Kildare Street on November 20.

Beverley Joseph, who works with e-Bay in Blanchardstown, first impressed judges to top the 19 and Over competition at the Regional Soapbox round in Blanchardstown Library on November 5, with her impassioned speech on the theme ‘Climate Change is not my Problem’.

A radio host and YouTuber in her spare time, Beverley was convinced to enter the competition after her mother saw the event advertised in Blanchardstown Library. The topic of Climate Change, as it turns out, is one which has always been close to her heart.

“My Mum saw the flyer at the library, brought it home and nudged me saying, ‘I think you’ll be good at this’,” Beverley explained. I’ve cared deeply about the environment since my primary school days, and I was reminded by my Mum that I won a Poster Competition for recycling when I was eight years of age.”

When Beverley was 18 on a scholarship programme to Brazil, (The Prime Minister’s Global Fellowship Programme headed by the then [UK] Prime Minister Gordon Brown), she interned for the Multi National Corporation KPMG under its Corporate Social Responsibility Department.

“I had the privilege of hearing passionate activists talk about the impact of Climate Change and have taken it rather seriously since then.”

Representing Blanchardstown’s Europe Direct Information Centre alongside the Under 18 regional champion Emily O’Shea from Portmarnock Community School, Beverley was ecstatic to win the top prize of €1,000 and a trip to Brussels, where she will receive a tour of the European Parliament and other EU institutions.

“I feel great,” she smiled. “It’s really a privilege. It was such a nice event as well and there was a really great atmosphere.”

Looking forward to the trip to Brussels, Beverley is also excited to publish her first children’s book early next year under Olympia publishers entitled ‘Ernest and the Prince of Peace’.

Congratulating both Beverley and Emily on their fantastic performances at the National Final, Manager of the Blanchardstown Europe Direct Information Centre, Siobhan Walshe added; “Beverley was a worthy winner at the Regional Final in Blanchardstown, and her passion for the topic shone through her speech. We are delighted for Beverley, and we would like to thank both Beverley and Emily for representing our Europe Direct Centre at such a high standard on the national stage.”