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Friday, November 13th, 2009Donegal County Council has published the latest edition of its wonderful newsletter, “Donegal – Community in touch”.
As usual, lots of great stuff! Included are reports on:
- The launch of “The Fid”, the Moville Emigrant Monument, commemorating the thousands of Irish who went to New Brunswick, as well as a schools programme linking schoolchildren in Moville and New Brunswick
- The MacGill summer school and a related publication
- The Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce and the School of Tourism at Letterkenny Institute of Technology
- the first-ever reunion of Falcarragh people from home and abroad
- a new social organisation called Go Irish Boston, comprised of Irish and Irish-American people
- the launch of Fado, a memoir by Irish-American musician Kevin O’Donnel, the child of Donegal immigrants.
There is much more here – it’s a great collection of news and resources that will be of interest to Donegal people at home and abroad. If only more counties would produce such resources – this is a model that would be very useful throughout Ireland.
Read the publication online on the Donegal County Council website.
US diversity visa program – apply by Nov 30
Friday, November 13th, 2009There are just over two weeks left to apply for the annual diversity visa lottery, which gives winners a green card to move permanently to the US.
The Diversity Visa Programme gives out 50,000 US visas to the winners among the 6 million or so global applicants who apply every year. Country eligibility is determined by the rate of immigration from those countries in the recent past. People born in Ireland or Northern Ireland are eligible to apply; those born in Britain are not.  There are usually fewer than 200 Irish winners every year, because there is so much competition from around the world.
Those applying must also meet an educational or work experience requirement. Applicants must have either:
- a high school or equivalent education (12 years of elementary and secondary education
- two years of work experience in the past five years in an occupation requiring at least two years of training or experience to perform.
Undocumented immigrants currently living in the US are not eligible for the visa, and should not apply.
The registration period began on October 2 and will continue until 5 pm Irish time on Monday, 30 November, 2009. Those planning on applying should apply right away, as high traffic affected the site’s availability in the closing days of last year’s application programme.
The ONLY way to enter the DV-211 lottery is to submit the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry form online at www.dvlottery.state.gov. There is no entry fee.
There are many fraudulent sites charging a fee and claiming to increase an applicant’s chance of winning. DO NOT pay a fee to any such site.
The Crosscare Migrant Project has produced a comprehensive guide to the Diversity Visa programme.
Related websites:
- CrosscareMigrantProject.ie: DV-2011 Information Leaflet
- Official US government application site: www.dvlottery.state.gov/
US ambassador encourages Irish reform efforts
Friday, November 13th, 2009The US ambassador to Ireland has encouraged Irish efforts to urge the US to undertake comprehensive immigration reform, according to a report in the Mayo News.
Speaking at an event entitled “Transatlantic Migration in Irish America�, held at the Castlebar campus of GMIT, Dan Rooney said:
“I think there are opportunities but American immigration policies have to do with everybody. On the south, we have Mexico and Central American, on the north, we have Canada and on the east we have Ireland. We can’t write a policy just for one but I will say this with regards to politics, you have a lot of friends in Congress. I would tell the Irish to go up the Hill and get Congress on their side. They will write up the bill but it will have to be a uniform bill – but that doesn’t mean they won’t look at a special situationâ€?.
Ambassador Rooney’s reference to “a special situation� is intriguing. There has been some controversy in Irish and Irish-American circles over whether Irish activists were lobbying for comprehensive immigration reform, which would alleviate the plight of all undocumented immigrants in the US, or a special deal for the Irish.
Current political realities in the US would seem to rule out the kind of special deals for the Irish that the Donnelly and Morrison visas guaranteed in the 1980s and 1990s. With over ten million undocumented in the US, and the Irish only comprising an estimated 50,000 of them, such a special deal would clearly be unfair.
While the emphasis, in fact, has seemed to be on getting a comprehensive deal, there have also been some efforts toward a solution that would give Irish people increased access to legal work opportunities in the US in the future. The 12-month Ireland/USA Intern Work and Travel Programme announced some months ago seemed to be in that spirit, as do efforts aimed at securing a bilateral trade agreement similar to the one Australia has with the US, which allows for some visas. Neither of these measures would assist the currently undocumented, however; the importance of them lies in ensuring a continuing strong link between Ireland and the US.
The question of whether Irish-America has lost its influence in American politics has also been a subject of debate in Irish-American and Irish media, particularly since the death of Senator Ted Kennedy –Ireland’s most stalwart friend in Congress. Dan Rooney’s comments that “you have a lot of friends in Congress� will perhaps reassure some.
Related web pages:
- Mayo News: Irish still have opportunities in America – Ambassador
- Crosscare Migrant Project: 12-Month Work and Travel Visa to USA
Global Economic Forum East – China turns to its diaspora
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009China is the latest country that it will turn to its diaspora for assistance with economic strategy and global networking. Â 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. Â 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, 2009I’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 –Â 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 –Â 3:53 PM Sep 19th from web
McW thanks Joe Hackett of Irish Abroad Unit and all at DFA for organising. –Â 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 –Â 3:49 PM Sep 19th from web
Martin, McW say it should be open – conscious of those watching online #gief –Â 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 –Â 3:47 PM Sep 19th from web
@IrishArtsCenter – I agree. Can’t beat the dynamism. No twitter presence here yet, if you mean gief. –Â 3:45 PM Sep 19th from web
Have to send our politicians abroad on St Patrick’s Day – they get access. –Â 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 –Â 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 –Â 3:35 PM Sep 19th from web
Malaysian-Irish business organisation founder: diaspora in reverse. Pay more attention to those connections! #gief –Â 3:33 PM Sep 19th from web
Hartnett: need people in this room to get in the game re internet. share ideas, thoughts #gief –Â 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 –Â 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 –Â 3:26 PM Sep 19th from web
O’Brien: applause for comment that we need a yes vote – Lisbon “the elephant in the room” –Â 3:24 PM Sep 19th from web
Martin pulls back from Israel model – “we’re not in that space” #gief –Â 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 –Â 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 –Â 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 –Â 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 –Â 3:09 PM Sep 19th from web
applause for dermot desmond on that one. #gief –Â 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 –Â 3:05 PM Sep 19th from web
Commentator: outcome should be clear identification of key strengths and then go execute them #gief –Â 3:03 PM Sep 19th from web
McWilliams: Ireland is recharging battery for the Irishness of the diaspora #gief –Â 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 –Â 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 –Â 2:53 PM Sep 19th from web
much talk of raising the game #gief –Â 2:51 PM Sep 19th from web
Martin: looking for sustainable global Irish network – #gief –Â 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 –Â 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 –Â 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 –Â 2:38 PM Sep 19th from web
Start of final session: McWilliams explains “Jack Charlton theory of economics” #gief –Â 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 –Â 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 –Â 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 –Â 1:37 PM Sep 19th from web
@janeruffino suspect the closed discussions may be franker than #gief participants are saying publicly. –Â 1:34 PM Sep 19th from web
Going out in hope of getting informal updates from participants as they break for lunch. #gief –Â 12:52 PM Sep 19th from web
Entertaining take on #gief and our “seriously serious” times from Indo: http://url.ie/2gql –Â 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 –Â 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 –Â 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 –Â 7:09 PM Sep 18th from web
Blog post – some initial thoughts on Global Irish Economic Forum – http://url.ie/2gn0 — #gief –Â 5:38 PM Sep 18th from web
@janeruffino I agree on importance of looking internally as well! –Â 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 –Â 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. –Â 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 –Â 2:25 PM Sep 18th from web
“We need your help defining economic opportunities” – Taoiseach #gief –Â 2:21 PM Sep 18th from web
“start of important new phase in our relationship with Irish people across the world” – Taoiseach #gief –Â 2:19 PM Sep 18th from web
taoiseach: giving assertion of Article 2 a “renewed impetus” this weekend #gief –Â 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 –Â 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 –Â 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 –Â 1:29 PM Sep 18th from web
Kingsley Aikins on diaspora strategy, Global Irish Economic Forum in Irish Times: http://url.ie/2gi3 #gief –Â 1:43 AM Sep 18th from web
NY Daily News lauds New York Irish Center’s senior programme
Wednesday, October 7th, 2009The New York Daily News carries a great profile of the senior citizen programme at the New York Irish Center in Long Island City. The programme brings together people from Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan for lunch every week. They get company, a hot meal donated by one of a dozen restaurants on a rotating basis, and referrals to social and medical programmes when they need it.
“Many are widows and widowers,” says Sean Mackin, one of the founders of the New York Irish Center. “Many have adult children who have moved away, and so they are alone now in the big city, living in rent-controlled apartments in once predominantly Irish neighborhoods. Now other new immigrants have moved in looking for the same American Dream. But many of the tens of thousands of New York Irish seniors can’t communicate with their new foreign-speaking neighbors. They feel isolated. Alienated. So when Father Colm Campbell opened here four years ago, word spread fast.”
The center also runs a Senior Help Line, which runs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to noon. It’s at (877) 997-5777. The Senior Help Line was set up with a grant from the Irish government.
Columnist Denis Hamill lauds the programme, saying, “There is nothing else like this place in all of Queens. Or New York. It deserves a hundred thousand welcomes in return.”
Programmes for Irish seniors, while long-established in Britain, have been growing in importance in the US recently. There is an increasing awareness of the need to fight isolation in the generation of immigrants who arrived in the 1950s and 1960s. New York’s Aisling Irish Center and the Emerald Island Immigration Center also run programmes for Irish seniors, and run the Senior Helpline as a joint project with the Long Island City center. The Ireland Funds recently announced they would be expanding their “Forgotten Irish” funding programme, which began in Britain, to the US.
Related webpages:
- Daily News: L.I.C. Irish Center a Bright Spot for Seniors
- New York Irish Center
- Senior Helpline Information
- Ireland Funds – Forgotten Irish Campaign