DU Dance
At DU Dance (NI) we always seek to operate in accordance with the principles of ‘one planet living’ and the aims of the ‘circular economy’ and strive to reduce the environmental impact of both our operations and our programmes.
Operationally, we aim to meet or exceed regulatory environmental protection requirements through assessing and reducing our environmental impact implementing measures such:
Minimising where possible new resource purchase, recycle, reuse and commit to zero waste.
Being conscious of company travel and where possible use bicycles, public transport and car sharing.
Limiting energy use to only that which is necessary.
We build environmental awareness into all our programmes and, instigated by our Youth Steering Group, currently deliver a dynamic and energetic series of advocacy projects focusing on the theme of the environmental crisis. The work has included a climate education programme and skills development in choreography and film and continues to bring young people together to express in dance and music their concerns about the climate and environmental crisis.
In 2022/23, as part of the Cultural Bridge programme in partnership with Beyond Skin and VILLA, Leipzig, members of the Youth Steering Group participated in an exchange programme. Through workshops and the creation of a social media campaign, participants developed awareness of the environmental issues all their communities face, while developing vital skills and confidence that will invigorate them to continue activism and make an impact on their communities.
The project culminated in a highly creative response to the climate crisis and incorporated music, dance and theatre from the young people performed on the streets of Belfast.
We thank Prof. John Barry, Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action, School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy, Queens University Belfast for his guidance on these matters.
(Photos attached: Cultural Bridge programme participants perform in Belfast.
Please credit Jim Corr Photography)
For more about DU Dance click here.