Global Irish Civic Forum
The first ever Global Irish Civic Forum will take place in Dublin Castle on 3-4 June
The first ever Global Irish Civic Forum will take place in Dublin Castle on 3-4 June 2015. The Forum will bring together representatives of over 140 organisations working with the Irish diaspora globally.
The Forum will allow these organisations to share their experience and will also provide an opportunity to recognise the work they undertake on a daily basis to support Irish emigrants abroad as they make new lives often far from home. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, and Minister for the Diaspora, Jimmy Deenihan, TD, will address the forum.
Since 2004 over €125 million has been provided under the Emigrant Support Programme.
Registration has closed with 175 delegates from 17 countries attending. Amongst the participants are welfare organisations working with our most vulnerable emigrants, organisations aimed at promoting Irish culture abroad, Irish-focused business networks and campaign groups for emigrants.
As part of Global Irish: Ireland’s Diaspora Policy which was launched in March 2015 a commitment was made to holding an event which for the first time ever would bring together groups working with our diaspora abroad to facilitate the sharing of ideas.
Many of the organisations attending the Forum receive funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under the Emigrant Support Programme. The Emigrant Support Programme provides funding to not-for-profit organisations and projects to support Irish communities overseas and to facilitate the development of more strategic links between Ireland and the global Irish. Since 2004 over €125 million has been provided to such groups abroad.
Registration has closed with 175 delegates from 17 countries attending.
Panel discussions will take place over the two days covering topics including challenges facing new Irish emigrants, connecting with members of the diaspora, supporting the mental well-being of the diaspora and assisting Irish emigrants wishing to return to Ireland. Workshops on fundraising, governance and communications will also be held.
Programme for Global Irish Civic Forum
Watch back the individual panel discussions by clicking on the titles below
Wednesday 3 June
| 1. | 09.30 - 10.00 |
Welcome Address by Minister for Diaspora Affairs Jimmy Deenihan T.D. |
| 10.00 - 11.30 | Panel Discussion on challenges facing new Irish emigrants | |
| 2. | 12.00 - 13.30 | Panel Discussion on Irish Identity and Heritage |
| 3. | 14.30 - 16.00 | Panel Discussion on reaching out to Irish citizens abroad |
| 4. | 16.15 - 17.45 | Panel Discussion on supporting the mental wellbeing of Irish emigrants |
Thursday 4 June
| 5. | 09.00 - 09.20 | Address by Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade, Charles Flanagan T.D. |
| 09.30 - 11.00 | Panel Discussion on assisting emigrants returning to Ireland | |
| 6. | 11.30 - 12.30 | Interactive Session on Networking led by Kingsley Aikins |
| 12.30 - 13.15 | Presentation by John Concannon Director of the Ireland 2016 Project Team | |
| 7. | 18.15 - 18.30 | Closing Remarks by Minister for Diaspora Affairs Jimmy Deenihan T.D. |
Find out more
Check out our new Global Irish Hub.
Follow the action from the Forum on Twitter next week: @GlobalIrish and @dfatirl
Global Irish: Ireland’s Diaspora Policy
Speeches and panel discussions will be recorded over the two days of the Forum and will be available on the Global Irish Hub website.