In recent years the Geography Department in Coláiste Chríost Rí has developed a strong focus on issues of social justice. Speakers including refugees and asylum seekers and people from Amnesty International, the Debt and Development Coalition and some Human Rights Lawyers were invited to the school. Dennis Halliday, former Assistant Secretary General of the UN came to address the students as did a Food Security specialist, a Vietnam war veteran, Human Rights activists, some Aid workers and people with expertise in issues like Fair Trade and the dangers associated with Land Mines.

Two lively, high profile debates were also held. The first on the Nice Treaty involved Micheál Martin TD, Dan Boyle TD, Kathleen Lynch TD and Professor John Maguire. The second debate concerned the proposed incinerator in Ringaskiddy and those involved were Dan Boyle TD and John Aherne of Indaver Ireland.

Furthermore, the Department's staff formed the backbone of An Coiste Cultúrtha, the organising committee of the highly successful "Cork School of Culture" programme, which ran for the duration of the year 2005.

In summary, as well as preparing our students to face State Examinations in Geography at their own appropriate level, we hope to prepare them to be active and concerned, global citizens.