Diaspora a source of global ‘soft power’
The Government yesterday explored ways of tapping into the influential network of Irish people around the world in the second Global Irish Economic Forum, which continues at Dublin Castle today.
Opening the event, the Taoiseach hailed a “new age” for Ireland marked by its potential as a technology hub combined with traditional strengths of entrepreneurship and innovation.
He told almost 300 delegates that there’s a growing confidence in Ireland reflected in international economic and political commentary.
Among the measures that was announced yesterday was a “register of international advocates” who will advise the Government, state agencies and companies on areas such as foreign direct investment, assisting Irish exporters and promoting tourism and culture abroad.
There will also be a formal “recognition system” to honour members of the diaspora for “distinguished service to Ireland or Irish communities abroad” at an annual ceremony.
Mr Kenny said it is his vision to make Ireland the best small country in the world in which to do business by 2016: “To make my country synonymous with genius, with entrepreneurship, with vision and innovation.”
He said that despite the success of the country’s companies abroad “we can do much more to broaden and deepen the footprint of Irish firms in overseas markets”.
The country has a great opportunity to achieve in emerging industries such as cloud-computing. “I believe a new age for Ireland lies ahead.” he said. “The potential of this new age is there to be grasped. The people who grasp it freely will stand out from the crowd.”
He echoed the words of US President Barack Obama on his visit in May, saying: “Our best days are ahead.”
He said there was a “family” of 70 million Irish people around the world.
The size of this Irish diaspora was once considered a failure and “symptom of a country that could not provide a decent life”, said Mr Gilmore.
“Now, the talent, the expertise, the influence of the global Irish is one of our biggest strengths: the envy of other nations.
“Our influence stretches further, our opportunities are wider, than any other small country in the world.”
Mr Gilmore paid tribute to his predecessor as minister for foreign affairs, the Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin, for hosting the first Global Irish Forum in 2009, which he said “marked a shift in Ireland’s relationship with its diaspora”.
“Following the success of that event, there is now a far greater appreciation that the global Irish in all its diversity, constitutes a vast source of soft power for this country,” he said.
Mr Gilmore said when his party, in coalition with Fine Gael, came into power earlier this year that “nothing less than the survival of our country was at stake”.
He said: “It was that serious” but through its actions the country has “embarked on the road to recovery”.
A special implementation group, chaired by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, will meet twice a year to review progress in putting in place the ideas produced at this weekend’s event
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