Irish Network USA Encourages Members to ‘Engage’ with Irish Government
By: Steve Lenox, Co-President
At the core of Irish Network USA’s mission are efforts to connect Irish and Irish American communities across the United States with each other- and also back home to Ireland. These efforts come in many forms: business networking, celebration of Irish arts and culture, supporting efforts to populate local pitches with top class Hurling and Gaelic Football players.
We take special pride in our ability to bring the entire community together in recognition of our common bonds to Ireland. At any of our chapter’s events, now spread out to 16 cities in every corner of America, you are as likely to find yourself shoulder to shoulder with a firefighter as you are a Fortune 500 business executive. It is as common to be sought after for advice from a newly arrived immigrant seeking to set a new course in life as it is to get advice from a ‘veteran’ who set roots in the US decades ago and started their own chapter in the great story of the Irish Disapora.
In just the past 18 months alone we have been proud to support efforts by the Irish Government to further strengthen the ties that bind two great nations together. Whether it was helping to roll out efforts to bring the Diaspora home for the Gathering, or encouraging our members to fully exercise their ability to be a “Connector” and attract even more great companies to Ireland’s shores, we have shown that there is a spot for every person of Irish descent to play a role in the resurgence of an island we all refer to as “home”.
The Irish Government and its representatives in the United States have been with Irish Network USA every step of the way throughout our growth. Opening the doors of the Embassy and Consulates, attending our events, and allowing for our members to communicate in a meaningful way with visiting dignitaries are but a few examples of the tremendous support we have received. They have also struck a critical balance recognizing that our road to success and growth is one for us to plow, always leaving it to us to set the agenda and goals for the future. We have been proud to engage with Government and know that these bonds will only grow stronger.
We welcome the recent invitation by Tanaiste and Minster for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore for Irish abroad to participate in a comprehensive review of Ireland’s Diaspora policy. We know that the views within the ranks of Irish Network USA in this regard are as diverse as our membership itself, and that’s why we encourage all of our members to take this opportunity to be heard.
Submissions are due by April 23, 2014 for more information, check out this website.
https://www.dfa.ie/our-role-policies/the-irish-abroad/diaspora-policy-review/