Fostering social leadership and meaningful community engagement at Ireland’s most iconic arts festival
Sawaed19 is proud to announce its collaboration with the Galway International Arts Festival (GIAF) as part of the festival’s volunteer induction and leadership enrichment activities in early July 2024.
🌐 See the highlights:
The collaboration featured an interactive webinar titled “Social Leadership for a Global Purpose”, led by Hiba Awaysa, CEO of Sawaed19. The session introduced the concept of social leadership and explored the personal qualities needed to become an impactful community leader. It also shared real stories of Palestinian social leaders who are creating change even amid the adversity of war in Gaza.
Participants—many of them first-time volunteers—gained fresh perspectives on how volunteering connects to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and how they can use their time and passion to create meaningful global impact during and beyond the festival.
“This was more than an induction, it was a call to purpose,” said Hiba Awaysa.
“Volunteers are the heartbeat of movements for change, and GIAF shows how creativity and social responsibility can go hand in hand.”
Following the webinar, Sawaed19 participated in the official volunteer induction meeting at the University of Galway, sharing insights on the value of volunteering and the role volunteers play in shaping culture, inclusion, and global solidarity through events like GIAF.
A heartfelt thank you to Elena, the wonderful force behind the GIAF volunteer program, for her ongoing commitment to enriching the volunteer experience year after year. Her leadership reflects the very spirit of what Sawaed19 stands for: impact, inclusion, and inspiration.
We’re excited to see the festival unfold with the energy, empathy, and passion of these incredible volunteers. Together, we celebrate the power of art, community, and purposeful action.
