October conference: be the change....

national | miscellaneous | news report

Thursday August 29, 2002 17:10

by Sean Dolan

oct 23 - 23rd

possible some grassroots people might be interested in this conference I saw listed on www.activelink.ie - all the suits and ageing social justice heads will be here , incl. the president - might be time to enage 'em with some radical and much needed debate!!!! check out www.activelink.ie

The future is ours - Be the change
The Wheel has announced details of a major International Conference on Civil Society to be held in October, entitled The Future Is Ours - Be The Change.

This conference forms part of The Wheel's Civil Society Programme that aims to facilitate partnerships between the Public, Private and Community & Voluntary sectors. The conference title refers to the challenge made by Mahatma Gandhi; "We must be the change we wish to see."

The conference will take place in Dublin on October 22nd and 23rd in Jury's Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin.

Speakers include: President Mary McAleese, Edward De Bono, Kumi Naidoo, Fr. Sean Healy, David Begg, Bill Cullen, Dermot McCarthy, Mary Redmond, Joanne Caddy and Fergus O'Ferrall.

Programme: Tuesday 22nd October

10.30 am: Registration

11.20 am: Opening and Introductory Remarks (Dr Fergus O'Ferrall)

11.55 am: Guest Speaker (President Mary McAleese)

12.10 pm: "New Thinking for a New Millenium" (Dr Edward de Bono)

1.10 pm: Lunch

2.10 pm: Questions & Answers (Dr Edward de Bono)

2.30 pm: "Civil Society & Globalisation" (Dr Kumi Naidoo)

3.10 pm: Roundtable Discussion

3.30 pm: "Citizens as Partners: Engaging Citizens in Policy-Making" (Ms Joanne Caddy)

4.00 pm: Coffee Break

4.15 pm: Roundtable Discussion

4.45 pm: Questions & Answers (Dr Kumi Naidoo & Ms Joanne Caddy)

5.15 pm: Concluding Remarks (Dr Mary Redmond)

7.30 pm: Pre-Dinner Drinks Reception

8.00 pm: Conference Dinner

Programme: Wednesday 23rd October
Note that each of the presentations is limited to a maximum of 20 minutes and is followed by roundtable discussions of at least an hour to maximise participation of delegates.

9.30 am: Opening Address

9.45 am: "Active Citizenship - Achieving Change Through Community & Voluntary Activity" (Fr. Sean Healy)
- Roundtable Discussion

11.20 am: "Public Service In 21st Century Ireland" (Mr. Dermot McCarthy)
- Roundtable Discussion

1.00 pm: Lunch

2.00 pm: "Enterprise & Innovation - The Basis For National Prosperity" (Mr. Bill Cullen)

2.15 pm: "Working Conditions And Lifestyle Ambitions" (Mr. David Begg)
- Roundtable Discussion

3.45 pm: "Where Do We Go From Here? (Dr. Mary Redmond)

4.00 pm: Conference Concludes

* * * * * * * * * * *

WHY SHOULD YOU PARTICIPATE?
To gain a greater understanding of the different forces that are shaping the world in which we live and work - both nationally and internationally.

To meet and network with people from all sections of Irish society in a unique environment.

To explore what "Civil Society" is and to discover how we might together develop it in Ireland.

To debate how citizens who are passive can become active in our democracy through civil society.

WHO SHOULD GO?
Individuals, Community & Voluntary Sector Representatives, Business Leaders, Trade Unions Leaders, Public Representatives, Public Servants
Academic Leaders, Young People, Media Representatives....

If you have ever thought about or asked yourself any of the following questions then you will gain from both attending and participating in this debate-oriented conference:

What expectations do you have about the sort of Ireland you want to live in? Is the future yours to inherit or yours to build?

How do we translate values-driven work into underpinning principles for Irish society?

What special pro-active role do public servants have in shaping the values and direction of Irish society?

How can corporate social responsibility safeguard sustainable profits?

How can the quality of national debate be improved to build a more trusted and responsive representative democracy that engages citizens in policy-making?

The delegate fee includes the two day conference programme together with coffee breaks and buffet lunches on both days plus a gala dinner on the night of Tuesday 22nd October.

A limited number of bursaries are available.

For more details about how to register contact Kate Kiernan in the Wheel office: kate@wheel.ie

The Wheel
Irish Social Finance Centre,
10 Grattan Crescent, Inchicore, Dublin 8
tel 01 - 454 8727
fax 01 - 454 8649