Muireann O Briain SC, legal adviser to ECPAT - the global movement seeking to end child prostitution and the commercial sexual exploitation of children - will address the Soroptimist International Dublin Club tonight at 8 p.m. in the Mount Herbert Hotel, Herbert Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin.
Soroptimist International AIDS Mediation is the International Soroptimist Project for 1995-1999. AIDS has spread rapidly in Asia, through the commercial sex industry and tourism. The project aims to dissuade young women from entering the commercial sex industry by setting up successful, incomegenerating projects in their villages and also by helping young girls to continue in education in their own areas rather than migrating to the cities where they are prone to sexual and other forms of exploitation.
"Live Life to the Full: The Diabetic Perspective" is the title of a public lecture on managing diabetes which takes place on Wednesday in the Grand Hotel, Malahide, Co Dublin at 8 p.m. Ultra-distance runner Brian Byrne, and consultant endocrinologist at Beaumont Hospital Prof Chris Thompson, will talk about how people can avoid allowing diabetes to control their lives. The meeting is run in association with McCabes Pharmacy and MediSense. Further information from Carol Oppermann (01) 8642165 or freephone 1800 776633.
A presentation of the latest research on the nutritional value of frozen vegetables, which will include an update on the benefits of folate, will be given on Wednesday by Dr John Fletcher, Unilever Research Laboratory, in the Royal College of Physicians, Kildare Street, Dublin at 6 p.m. A limited number of seats is available to the public on a first come, first served basis. To reserve a place contact Niamh Milne on (01) 4960244.
The Endometriosis Association of Ireland will hold a support meeting to mark its 10th anniversary on Friday at 8 p.m. in the Oval Room (off the Pillar Room), Rotunda Hospital, Dublin. Admission is £2 and all are welcome.
The Young Adult Beginning Experience (YABE) is a programme for people aged between 17 and 30 years who have experienced the separation, divorce or death of a parent. The next YABE weekend, which is run by young adults who have experienced loss in their own lives, takes place from Friday, November 21st to Sunday, November 23rd at the YWCA, Greystones, Co Wicklow. The weekend is not a substitute for counselling but it does offer a fresh and different atmosphere in which to share hopes, concerns and ideas and perhaps make new friends. The cost is £35; further details from Jean (01) 8460723 or Olive (01) 4519237 after 6 p.m.
Brainwave, the Irish Epilepsy Association, is currently offering places on the "Planning My Future" training programme. Based at Dublin's Griffith College, this is a fulltime, six-month programme designed for young adults with epilepsy. All aspects of career guidance and self-development are covered in a supportive setting. The next programme starts at the beginning of January 1998 and will cater for 15 people. The course incurs no fees or loss of benefits. A training allowance is paid and a bus pass is provided. It is necessary to be registered with the NRB and approved by an NRB adviser to gain a place. For more information telephone the course office on (01) 4730039.
Art Reach is part of the Art Access programme, funded by the Arts Council and the European Horizon programme, aimed at providing training and education for people with disabilities in the areas of art, design and communications. An Art Reach 2 exhibition has just opened in the Crawford Gallery, Cork which is the fruits of 14 artist-in-residence projects involving more than 500 people with disabilities, many of whom had never experienced "art" before. The exhibition includes drawings, paintings, sculpture, prints, video and project-based works from the National Training and Development Institute, a division of Rehab, and continues until November 29th.
Aspire, a national charity working to improve the lives of people with Asperger Syndrome or high-functioning autism, has published Short Work: 1997, an anthology of winners and shortlisted stories from its first short-story competition. The book costs £6 and is available in bookstores or may be ordered directly from ASPIRE, PO Box 40, Greystones, Co Wicklow (add £1 for p & p).
Entries are now being accepted for the ASPIRE 1998 national short-story competition and winners and shortlisted stories will be published in the 1998 anthology. The winner will receive £500; there's three runner-up prizes of £200 and two of £50. Closing date for the competition is February 27th, 1998 and further details and a set of rules can be had by sending an SAE to the above address.