Ireland and its emigrants

[Strengthandhonour]

Ireland and its emigrants
On Wednesday the Department of Foreign Affairs hosted a conference on "Ireland's Attitude to the Diaspora" in an effort to define future relationships between Ireland and the global Irish community. Around 120 invited delegates attended the event in Dublin Castle. Among them was a Friends of Ireland delegation of US Congress men and women. Unfortunately their tight schedule meant that they had to leave after the opening sessions in which one of the speakers was Congressman Richard Neal.
The conference, chaired by Senator Maurice Hayes, was opened by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern, who spoke of "maintaining and strengthening links" with the Irish abroad, and referred to Article 2 of the Constitution which acknowledges all those qualified to be citizens of Ireland and records that "the Irish nation cherishes its special affinity with people of Irish ancestry living abroad who share its cultural identity and heritage". He also mentioned the plight of the undocumented Irish in the US.
Other speakers were Paddy O'Hanlon, former Chairman of the Task Force on Policy regarding Emigrants; Nickey Brennan, President of the GAA; Professor Terri Scott, CEO of the Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurship and IDA Board Member; Dr Ian Adamson, former Lord Mayor of Belfast; and Tim Pat Coogan, journalist and author of "Wherever Green is Worn".
During the afternoon delegates took part in one of three seminars which were entitled, "The new issues facing the Irish Abroad", "Future of relations with Irish America" and "Future policy in relation to the Irish in Britain".
More than one delegate called for a greater emphasis on emigration in the history curriculum in our schools. Today's young people, it was claimed, go through school learning little of the role emigration played in the history of Ireland. They are unaware of the hardships endured by those who were forced to emigrate, did not learn of the successes of many in their new homes or of the huge influence the Irish had on different parts of the world.
One delegate expressed concern that Ireland's interest in the Diaspora was cynical and self-serving, but found no vocal support for this view. The emphasis was on contact and communication and valuing those who left and their descendents. One of many suggestions for strengthening ties was a proposal that all genealogical data be made available free of charge on the Internet.
In summing up, Senator Hayes said he would be asking the Department of Foreign Affairs not to issue his report on the day's proceedings until it was accompanied by a related action plan.




source: Irish Emigrant - News and jobs for the global Irish community

[Franze]

It would be good a return of this diaspora and not catching foreign immigration, what do you think?