As part of Canon’s ongoing commitment to delivering meaningful social value within communities across Ireland, we were proud to bring the Canon Young People Programme (CYPP) to Rosmini Community School, soon to be renamed Grace Park Community School, during the World Unseen Ireland exhibition. Based in the heart of Drumcondra, Rosmini is a co-educational, multi-denominational post-primary school known for its deeply inclusive ethos, as well as its dedicated specialist classes supporting students with visual impairments – making it a particularly powerful setting for an accessibility-driven creative initiative.
Led by Canon Ambassador and award-winning visual storyteller Elisa Iannacone, the workshop invited fifteen first-year students to explore hands-on photography and creative storytelling. Using tactile, coral-inspired props designed to engage the senses, students worked with Canon EOS R100 and R50 cameras to capture imagery inspired by UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life Below Water.
Young People Programme inspires storytelling in Dublin
Rosmini Community School’s mission places strong emphasis on nurturing the physical, intellectual, moral, spiritual and aesthetic development of every student within a caring and respectful environment. This inclusive vision, coupled with its Department of Education-approved specialist classes for students with visual impairments, ensures learners can access the mainstream curriculum with tailored support and celebrates the intrinsic value of each individual – making it the perfect fit for Canon’s hands-on storytelling workshop.
Margaret Keenan, Head of the Art department at Rosmini Community School, said: “At Rosmini, we believe that every young person should have the opportunity to explore creativity in ways that feel accessible and empowering. What made this workshop particularly special was watching our students – especially those with visual impairments, connect with the cameras and lenses through touch. It allowed them to experience photography not just as a visual art form, but as something tactile, intuitive and full of possibility. Collaborations like this highlight the power of inclusive arts education and the importance of giving all students the space to shine.”
Canon’s Coral campaign, which aligns with SDG 14, highlights the fragility of marine ecosystems and the urgent need to protect global biodiversity. As part of the experience, the students had the unique opportunity to visit Canon’s World Unseen exhibition at Photo Museum Ireland, where they gained a deeper, sensory-led understanding of the plight of coral and the wider challenges facing our oceans. Building on this insight, the workshop invited them to become part of Canon’s most recent exhibition journey – showcasing how the arts and visual storytelling can be made accessible to all. Through guided exploration and hands-on experimentation, the students discovered how photography can spotlight critical issues like ocean health and sustainability, especially when delivered in a way that supports inclusive and creative expression.
Elisa Iannacone, Canon Ambassador, said: “Working with the students at Rosmini Community School was deeply inspiring. Their willingness to explore texture, light and storytelling in their own unique ways demonstrates the universal power of creativity. When young people are given accessible tools and an environment that celebrates their individuality, they produce work that is honest, imaginative and full of meaning. Programmes like CYPP don’t just teach photography – they nurture confidence, curiosity and a deeper connection to the world around us.”
Adam Pensotti, Head of Canon Young People Programme at Canon EMEA added:
“This session reaffirmed why accessibility, education and social impact remain core pillars of Canon’s purpose. Creating opportunities for young people to build confidence, develop new skills and express themselves through visual storytelling is central to the Canon Young People Programme. It was inspiring to see such creativity and engagement in Dublin, especially within a school where inclusion is lived every day.”
Now in its tenth year, the Canon Young People Programme has reached more than 10,000 young participants across 35+ countries, collaborating with over 50 non-profit organisations to support youth voices on global sustainability issues. Through equipment support, guided training and platforms to amplify young voices, the programme empowers emerging storytellers to inspire positive change within their communities.
Canon UK & Ireland is proud to see Ireland’s involvement in CYPP continue to grow, strengthening our commitment to creativity, inclusion and environmental awareness.
Visit here for more about the Canon Young People Programme: Empowering the next generation – Canon UK
What is the Canon Young People Programme?
Storytellers need access to education and equipment so they can continue to learn and grow. The Canon Young People Programme provides opportunities that allow those that need it most, young people from deprived backgrounds and communities in developing regions, to document stories on the social and environmental issues that matter to them.
Through the Canon Young People Programme we’ve reached over 7,750 young participants across more than 30 countries, and working with over 50 charity partners, including Plan International and Wild Shots Outreach, across Europe, Middle East and Africa equipping young people in schools and communities with the skills, tools and platform they need to share their stories with the world and create new opportunities both for themselves and others in their communities.
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