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Government pursues opportunities in Asia through expats

Friday, May 28th, 2010

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin is in Asia this week, and has issued a press release focusing on several outgrowths of the Global Irish Economic Forum held at Farmleigh in September.

Martin attended the first meeting of Asian-based members of the Global Irish Network at Expo Shanghai; the network was announced at the Global Irish Economic Forum at Farmleigh and prior meetings were held in Britain, France, Germany and the UAE.

At that meeting, Martin has announced funding of €135,000 towards a new Farmleigh Fellowship Programme, which provides 25 Irish participants the opportunity to work in Asia for four months, and to participate in a joint MSc degree in Asian Business Management from UCC and Nanyang Business School in Singapore.   The project was developed by a number of Singapore-based businesspeople who were present at the Global Irish Economic Forum, and was a response to the focus placed at that meeting on the need for Irish businesses to increase their access to Asian markets  It will begin in October 2010.  An overseas graduate placement programme, a separate initiative, is also being planned.

Martin also announced funding under the Emigrant Support Programme for several Asian-based organisations:

• Ireland-Japan Chamber of Commerce (c. €12,000), which is dedicated to fostering business links between Ireland and Japan
• the Irish Network China (c. €1,100), a Beijing-based organisation fostering cultural, social, and business links between Ireland and China
• Le Chéile, Shanghai (c. €5,597), a social and educational group for Irish emigrants and the Irish diaspora in China, founded 2008.

See the press release on the Department of Foreign Affairs website.

Regional, youth Farmleighs to follow Global Irish Economic Forum

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin has released the “Progress Report on Follow-up to The Global Irish Economic Forum”. The report outlines a number of initiatives that have been undertaken following the Global Irish Economic Forum, which was held at Farmleigh in September 2009.  The forum had two aims: first, to explore how the Irish abroad could contribute to economic recovery, and second, to examine ways in which Ireland and its global community could develop a more strategic relationship with each other.

While the Forum has in the past few months occasionally been criticised in the media as a talking shop, it’s clear the government is trying to demonstrate the impact of the event on its economic strategy. The report include specific projects in the areas of diaspora engagement,  economic policy, culture, innovation, tourism, greentech, international financial services, and agriculture and food. Among the ideas on diaspora engagement are:

• Global Irish Network – This network of 300 people in 37 countries was launched and held its first meeting on 4 February. The network is intended to serve as a resource for the Government in promoting Ireland’s economic, cultural and tourism messages in key markets.
• Regional “Farmleighs” – Meetings in a number of countries with visiting members will take place in 2010.
• Supporting business and technology networks – The Government has funded the Irish Technology Leadership Group in Silicon Valley with $251,000; Craig Barrett has been appointed the new chair of the ITLG. An Irish Innovation Centre is due to open in California “in the first quarter of 2010″.
• Farmleigh Overseas Graduate Programme – The Government is working to establish a programme to facilitate up to 500 graduate placesments abroad; the initial focus will be in Asia.
• Youth Forum for the Global Irish – The DFA is working with the Ireland Funds to convene a Forum in June 2010 for 100 younger members of the global Irish community.
• Gateway Ireland – John McColgan of Riverdance is moving this private-sector initiative forward, aimed at creating “a new high-quality Irish portal website”.
• Diaspora Bond – The Government is examining the feasiblity of extending the National Solidarity Bond, announced in Budget 2010, to non-Irish residents.
• Local Diaspora Strategies – Each Irish embassy is producing a strategy aimed at supporting and enhancing engagement with the local Irish community.

There are more proposals under the aforementioned other subheadings.  Some of the ideas that are under development include:

As someone who’s been studying Ireland’s engagement with its diaspora for years, it’s clear to me that we’ve entered a new era in our relationship with the Irish abroad.

Some of these ideas might be a hard sell (diaspora bonds, anyone?), but even more important than the new initiatives are the enhanced desire for engagement by the Irish government.  Recent years have seen extraordinary changes and an increasingly sophisticated relationship developing between Ireland and our diaspora. Part of this has been influenced by changing trends in global diaspora strategies, much of it by Ireland’s peculiar circumstances. It will be exciting to see how this relationship grows, and particularly how the Irish diaspora will respond to this increasing outreach.

See the entire report at the GlobalIrishForum website.

Related pages on GlobalIrish.ie:

• NY to get Irish Arts Center with €2.3 million grant
• Work starts on Global Irish Economic Forum idea
• Tweets from Global Irish Economic Forum
• Global Irish Economic Forum: a report
• Global Economic Forum East – China turns to its diaspora
• Global Irish Economic Forum: The speeches
• Global Irish Economic Forum: thoughts from participants
• Global Irish Economic Forum: first thoughts
• Count me out, says O’Leary
• 180 to attend Global Economic Forum
• Global Irish Economic Forum to focus on growth, relationship

• Would diaspora bonds work for Ireland’s finances?

NY to get Irish Arts Center with €2.3 million grant

Monday, December 7th, 2009

New York will get a major new Irish landmark, with the announcement today that Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has granted€2.3 million for the construction of an Irish Arts Centre in Manhattan.

The press release from the Department of Foreign Affairs said:

The Minister said one of the main themes to emerge from the attendees at the Global Irish Economic Forum was the importance of Irish Culture to the image of this country abroad and in particular in the USA. He noted that this was also an important conclusion of the Strategic Review of Ireland US Relations, published by the Taoiseach last March. Minister Martin said he was extremely impressed by the arguments made at Farmleigh by members of the business and cultural sectors alike.

Announcing the grant from the Emigrant Support Programme managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Minister said:

“The allocation of such significant funding is a clear demonstration of the Government’s strong commitment to the building of the new Irish Arts Centre in New York. This funding is a response to the extraordinary gesture of the City of New York in making a site, valued at $12 million available for the project, along with a further $8 million in capital funding.

The construction of the New York Irish Arts Centre is identified as a priority in the revised Programme for Government and I would like to pay tribute to Minister Martin Cullen for his longstanding support and commitment to the project.

The new Centre will project a dynamic image of Ireland and Irish America across the US; it will facilitate extensive Irish-related cultural, business and community programmes; will showcase quality contemporary Irish theatre and art; and will also provide an invaluable resource for the Irish emigrant community in the US�.

The Minister paid warm tribute to New York City Mayor Bloomberg and Speaker Christine Quinn for their exceptional support for the initiative. He also thanked Gabriel Byrne for his support for the Arts Centre and for his longstanding work in promoting Irish culture throughout the US.

Minister Martin said that this major initiative demonstrates how seriously the Government views the outcome of the Farmleigh Forum:

“Everybody at Farmleigh said that the success of the Conference could only be judged by the quality of the follow up. Today I have begun to demonstrate that despite the difficult budgetary situation, we are determined to continue investing in our unique resource- the Irish Diaspora and its cultural heritage.

This is just the beginning and I will be making further announcements in the New Year.

Other ideas which are being actively progressed include: a new Global Irish Network; the establishment of an Irish innovation centre in Silicon Valley; the Gateway Ireland portal, which would serve as a key online focus for promoting Ireland abroad and engaging with our global community; expanded educational exchange and scholarship programmes to increase engagement with younger generations; and a new Farmleigh Overseas Graduate Programme. I am aware that a number of other Departments are also taking forward initiatives suggested at Farmleigh. I am similarly encouraged by the fact that significant work has already been undertaken by participants themselves on a number of projects that are more suitably advanced by the private sector. These will have the support of the Government.�

He pointed out that at its meeting on 13 October, the Government considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Management Institute. The full report contains a detailed list of the main themes and specific proposals to emerge and is available on (www.dfa.ie and www.globalirishforum.ie).

The Government has also established a new inter-Departmental Committee, chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Taoiseach, to consider the proposals and monitor progress across Departments. The Committee has already begun its work and will report to Government in the New Year.

The Minister emphasised that the Government is absolutely committed to engagement with the Irish Diaspora across all regions and all sectors:

“Through the Emigrant Support Programme, we will continue to offer support to all sections of our Diaspora. In addition to the increased economic element to our work arising from the recent Forum, I am determined to ensure that we continue to attach a high priority to meeting the needs of the most vulnerable members of the Irish abroad.�

Work starts on Global Irish Economic Forum idea

Monday, December 7th, 2009

One idea from the Global Irish Economic Forum has apparently been initiated by Gibralter-based businessman Dermot Desmond. The Irish Times reported over the weekend that Desmond had invited over 160 high-profile people from the arts, business and academia to give inputs into the formation of a global university for the arts.

The idea behind the university is to leverage one of Ireland’s greatest advantages – our cultural heritage – into a driver for economic development.

The Irish Times listed those invited to participate:

They include musicians Bono and U2, Enya, The Corrs and Van Morrison; Hollywood actors Daniel Day-Lewis, Colin Farrell and Liam Neeson; film directors Neil Jordan and Jim Sheridan; and writers Brian Friel, Roddy Doyle and Sebastian Barry.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has also been asked to participate in the project. Among the business figures invited to submit ideas are telecoms and media entrepreneur Denis O’Brien, former Intel chief executive Craig Barrett, and Gary McGann, chief executive of packaging group Smurfit Kappa.

It looks as if the closed-door policy of the Global Irish Economic Forum will continue, as these high-profile participants are being invited to discuss the project on a private website.

We eagerly await news of the other projects to follow. The only other one that I am aware the government says it is enacting is a network for high-level professionals among the Irish abroad, but no doubt there will be more.

Related websites:

• Irish Times.com: Desmond invites stars to help start global cultural university
• Global Irish Forum website

Global Economic Forum East – China turns to its diaspora

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

China is the latest country that it will turn to its diaspora for assistance with economic strategy and global networking.  The first World Chinese Economic Forum will be held in Malaysia on November 16 and 17, themed “Building Business Linkages, Charting New Frontiers”.

It is aimed at leaders in government, professional bodies, educational institutions and think tanks, as well as entrepreneurs, professionals and investors from  around the globe, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the US, UK, France, Switzerland, Pakistan and China.

Among the organisers are the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute, a non-profit independent think tank in Malaysia focusing on international business partnerships, leadership, strategic thinking, and public policy studies.

The sessions look dynamic and practical, exploring entrepreneurship, sustainable development, financing, real estate, and regional and global development. One talk is entitled “China and ASEAN (Association of Southeasat Asian Nations) – Partnering for an Asian Century”.

Among the more interesting diaspora-related panels:

• “Leveraging on the World Chinese Muslim Network – building a new silk route from The Middle East to China”. Focusing on the tens of millions of Chinese Muslims in China, throughout Southeast Asia and elsewhere.
• “The Chinese Diaspora Worldwide – Entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility: Key challenges ahead”. Examining the role of the Chinese diaspora in the economic development of other nations and ways to channel that energy for maximum social benefit.
• “Global Chinese Entrepreneurship – the rise of young Taipans”. Focusing on the younger entrepreneurs, both Chinese-born and from the second generation.

With so many emerging efforts to engage the diasporas of various nations around the world, it’s good that Ireland has been upping its game in this respect. Our huge diaspora gives us a head start in engaging with our citizens abroad, and we have numerous local, regional and industry-based networks aimed at assisting the Irish at home and abroad in maximising their business efforts – but it’s clear that we are not alone in our ability to galvanise a global force of entrepreneurs and investors for our national economic benefit. And with the size of the global Chinese community estimated at between 30 and 120 million, a strong network will have a powerful impact.

Unlike the Global Irish Economic Forum, which was overly restricted in being limited to only 180 participants, this one is open to anyone willing to part with the $800 registration fee.  Perhaps some of our global Irish entrepreneurs with Chinese and Asian links might be interested in attending – and with the Chinese and Irish diasporas being two of the world’s largest, joint networking could mean profound mutual benefits around the globe and at home.

Download the World Chinese Economic Forum brochure.

Tweets from Global Irish Economic Forum

Friday, October 9th, 2009

I’ve just been looking at ways of backing up my Twitter postings. From the archives, this is a roundup of my Tweets from the Global Irish Economic Forum held in Farmleigh on September 18 and 19th:

Martin: “set Ireland’s relationship with global community on a new exciting course” – looking forward to seeing results. #gief - 3:57 PM Sep 19th from web

Martin says #gief caught the public’s imagination.. Not sure it’s caught the Irish media’s – will get better press outside of Ireland #gief - 3:53 PM Sep 19th from web

McW thanks Joe Hackett of Irish Abroad Unit and all at DFA for organising. - 3:50 PM Sep 19th from web

Shame that this conference was so closed – both to press and other willing participants! 180 people out of diaspora of 70 million #gief - 3:49 PM Sep 19th from web

Martin, McW say it should be open – conscious of those watching online #gief - 3:48 PM Sep 19th from web

Dubai-based person suggests keep the discussion going on small website solely for participants, with password. Open it up, I say! #gief - 3:47 PM Sep 19th from web

@IrishArtsCenter – I agree. Can’t beat the dynamism. No twitter presence here yet, if you mean gief. - 3:45 PM Sep 19th from web

Have to send our politicians abroad on St Patrick’s Day – they get access. - 3:44 PM Sep 19th from web

Israel again: Birthright programmes – aim educational programmes at younger than college. McW makes analogy w/ gaeltacht summers #gief - 3:37 PM Sep 19th from web

3rd-gen Irish-American: self-selection of culture-carriers. Not pulled back to any centralised entity. Pay attention to next gen. #gief - 3:35 PM Sep 19th from web

Malaysian-Irish business organisation founder: diaspora in reverse. Pay more attention to those connections! #gief - 3:33 PM Sep 19th from web

Hartnett: need people in this room to get in the game re internet. share ideas, thoughts #gief - 3:30 PM Sep 19th from web

Martina Newell McLoughlin: need to get past tribalism. make sure we’re risk-averse. visionaries and dreamers will take us there #gief - 3:29 PM Sep 19th from web

comment about Irish-American bus driver dad – let’s hear it for the bus-driver daddies. Mine was one too! #gief - 3:26 PM Sep 19th from web

O’Brien: applause for comment that we need a yes vote – Lisbon “the elephant in the room” - 3:24 PM Sep 19th from web

Martin pulls back from Israel model – “we’re not in that space” #gief - 3:22 PM Sep 19th from web

McWilliams raises question of diaspora bonds – to finance some of these projects – cash ringfenced. Israel model again #gief - 3:21 PM Sep 19th from web

McColgan: calls for umbrella website that Team Ireland speaks with one voice, wants “best website in world”. #gief - 3:19 PM Sep 19th from web

Martin asks for feedback from Asia, Russia, other places with no embassies – how to harness diaspora? O’Brien says internet #gief - 3:15 PM Sep 19th from web

Martin coming in on culture point: we’re world-class at that. “We don’t support it enough internationally, to be blunt about it.” #gief - 3:09 PM Sep 19th from web

applause for dermot desmond on that one. #gief - 3:06 PM Sep 19th from web

Dermot Desmond: How can we monetise our culture? Should build greatest university in world for performing arts #gief - 3:05 PM Sep 19th from web

Commentator: outcome should be clear identification of key strengths and then go execute them #gief - 3:03 PM Sep 19th from web

McWilliams: Ireland is recharging battery for the Irishness of the diaspora #gief - 3:01 PM Sep 19th from web

Hartnett uncomfortable with term “diaspora” – “You feel like you’re a little alien. I’m from Limerick.” #gief - 2:55 PM Sep 19th from web

Casey: international support structure for people going abroad should be developed – done locally already -what kind of platform? #gief - 2:53 PM Sep 19th from web

much talk of raising the game #gief - 2:51 PM Sep 19th from web

Martin: looking for sustainable global Irish network – #gief - 2:50 PM Sep 19th from web

O’Brien: use Israeli model for soft power in US, open more embassies, better resource Enterprise Ireland #gief - 2:43 PM Sep 19th from web

O’Brien – need 10-20 year plan to connect with 70 million of diaspora – with culture at the heart. IF diaspora strategy rprt template #gief - 2:40 PM Sep 19th from web

Panel: Micheal Martin, American Ireland Fund, entrepreneur Liam Casey, Digicel chair Denis O’Brien, ITLG John Hartnett #gief - 2:38 PM Sep 19th from web

Start of final session: McWilliams explains “Jack Charlton theory of economics” #gief - 2:32 PM Sep 19th from web

Emigration has provided a “base” for creation of “some sort of formal structure” – “what was a weakness becomes a base”: Swanson #gief - 1:42 PM Sep 19th from web

Swanson assumes since government “went to trouble” of bringing everyone here “they’ll take some good order of what they’re hearing”: #gief - 1:39 PM Sep 19th from web

Dennis Swanson, Fox Pres: Culture discussion panel this morning was “passionate” – “Culture always has to fight for its place” #gief - 1:37 PM Sep 19th from web

@janeruffino suspect the closed discussions may be franker than #gief participants are saying publicly. - 1:34 PM Sep 19th from web

Going out in hope of getting informal updates from participants as they break for lunch. #gief - 12:52 PM Sep 19th from web

Entertaining take on #gief and our “seriously serious” times from Indo: http://url.ie/2gql - 12:08 PM Sep 19th from web

3 breakout groups now: Innovation island, Promoting Brand Ireland, Ireland’s image abroad – what role can new media play? #gief - 10:40 AM Sep 19th from web

Back in Farmleigh – no open forum till panel at 2:30: Ireland and Diaspora: harnessing a unique resource. David McWilliams moderating #gief - 10:37 AM Sep 19th from web

Leaving Farmleigh now – blog post with quick roundup of some participants’ thoughts on day http://url.ie/2gnr #gief - 7:09 PM Sep 18th from web

Blog post – some initial thoughts on Global Irish Economic Forum – http://url.ie/2gn0 — #gief - 5:38 PM Sep 18th from web

@janeruffino I agree on importance of looking internally as well! - 2:41 PM Sep 18th from web

@janeruffino I think people have left in past due to frustration, yes – and also Ireland has been utterly dismissive of diaspora in past - 2:40 PM Sep 18th from web

@janeruffino – I hear you. I think it’s an attitude many in diaspora would have faced in the past. Remains to be seen if it will change. - 2:34 PM Sep 18th from web

@janeruffino Interesting question as to whether desire for wisdom of Irish diaspora is based on more than its value as economic unit - 2:25 PM Sep 18th from web

“We need your help defining economic opportunities” – Taoiseach #gief - 2:21 PM Sep 18th from web

“start of important new phase in our relationship with Irish people across the world” – Taoiseach #gief - 2:19 PM Sep 18th from web

taoiseach: giving assertion of Article 2 a “renewed impetus” this weekend #gief - 2:13 PM Sep 18th from web

Incorporating North – Martin and Cowen have referred to 6 million on island of Ireland – with island at centre of 70 million pop #gief - 2:10 PM Sep 18th from web

Taoiseach: Diaspora “part of our history, part of our nation – the new article two of our constitution confirms that” #gief - 1:30 PM Sep 18th from web

Taoiseach says Global Irish Forum not just a weekend – “a structured dialogue” with diaspora on “ongoing basis” #gief - 1:29 PM Sep 18th from web

Kingsley Aikins on diaspora strategy, Global Irish Economic Forum in Irish Times: http://url.ie/2gi3 #gief - 1:43 AM Sep 18th from web

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