February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
And the process will gets its formal kick-start at a “Global Irish Economic Forum” that is set for Dublin next week.
“Earlier this year, the government decided to host a Global Irish Economic Forum in Dublin on 18 – 20 September. The Forum aims to explore how the Irish, at home and abroad, and those with a strong interest in Ireland, can work together to contribute to our overall efforts at economic recovery,” foreign affairs minister Miche_l Martin,” said.
Invitations to the Forum were issued by way of a personal letter from the Taoiseach in April. The response has been extremely encouraging, with over 180 people set to participate,” Martin said.
And he added: Traveling at their own expense, and giving freely of their time and expertise, these invitees reflect the enduring willingness of the Irish abroad to engage with and support Ireland.
“They include international business leaders, well known cultural figures and groundbreaking thinkers, people who exemplify the ‘remarkable combination of hope, confidence and imagination’ which President John Fitzgerald Kennedy called ‘the quality of the Irish.'”
Martin said that the forum’s program was designed to maximize the sharing of ideas and engagement between participants, while facilitating “concrete outcomes.”
The forum, to be held at Farmleigh House in Dublin, will be formally opened by Toiseach Brian Cowen and will consist of five separate sessions over the two days at which invitees, joined by members of Cowen’s cabinet, will engage in “substantive debate and discussion.”
The titles of the five sessions are: “The global economy: positioning Ireland for the upturn;” “Ireland – the innovation island;” “Promoting brand Ireland through our global cultural profile;” “Ireland’s image abroad: what is it now; how can it be improved, and what role can new media play?” “Ireland and its Diaspora: harnessing a unique resource.”
Those attending – and the total number of participants is expect to be around 180 – are also lined up for a reception hosted by President McAleese at