Diaspora Strategies:

Encouragement, Evolution and Engagement

Patrick (Paddy) Kelly, Chairman, Redquartz

 

Re: Internationalism – As a Mindset and As a Way of Life for a Greater Ireland!

 

Content of today's Presentation….
- ADVERSITY AND CHANGE

- SUPPORT WITHIN THE DIASPORA

- SUPPORT FROM ORGANISATIONS

- NETWORKING

- SUSTAINABILITY AND COMMUNITY

- DIASPORA PROPOSALS:

​

INTRODUCTION

I would like to thank the Clinton Institute and Martin Russell for inviting me to participate in this Seminar. I am honoured to be amongst such a diverse group of people. I would like to speak about the Diaspora in the context of:
Internationalism – As a Mindset and As a Way of Life for a Greater Ireland!

​

Internationalism is an increasing reality. We live in a global village. Boundaries between nations are becoming less all the time. There is a death of time and distance

 

I believe that a Greater Ireland is one that reaches out and acknowledges and energises the diaspora in the global village
My own life has been largely international - I opted early in my business life to live and to do business overseas as well as at home - I always viewed it as a positive way to live. Of course it can be a challenge for families to adjust and to
adapt…but I quickly saw that international experience gave me a perspective which allowed me to develop and grow business, to demand higher standards from myself and from others. International experience inspired me to think bigger, to appreciate the local all the more for knowing the global. My own business world is focused mainly on two sectors:
- The Built Environment - The Hospitality sector
Many of the corporate buildings and the hotels you see here in Dublin have been part of my life’s work – We have a presence in Belgium, France, Germany , U.K. U.S., Malta and Canada. Our managers live international lives
Multinational companies occupy our corporate buildings –
Many of these companies are here because of diaspora influence….

​

ADVERSITY AND CHANGE
I believe adversity is an inevitable part of the ebb and flow of
life. It creates change Change is a constant, that we mostly resist. If we learn to adapt to change it is always to our advantage. I know first-hand the challenges of adversity and how change challenges us. How It helps us to evolve as individuals, as families, as a people…. In the corporate world adversity and change is often referred to as creative destruction….. I believe it is part of the process of both preparing and learning.

 

In golf Padraig Harrington had 22 seconds before winning his first major – did he fail or did he prepare??
In the USA business adversity is seen as an inevitable consequences of the process of business – In fact it can be seen
as a badge of honour – Unfortunately In Ireland this a mindset we sorely lack

​

SUPPORT WITHIN THE DIASPORA
I feel that if in Ireland if we had drawn upon support from our diaspora in our current economic crisis we would have had
better perspective and made better decisions. For example I believe the serious mistake made by giving the
Bank Guarantee would not have happened if we had drawn upon advice and support from our Diaspora
Diaspora support and perspective contributed greatly to the success of the Northern Ireland Peace Process. When I had the
opportunity to met Senator George Mitchell some years ago I was so honoured to thank him for the support he gave us . And of course we all know that President Bill Clinton and Hilary Clinton’s support was critical.

 

In U.S. politics we have had significant support from the Kennedy family from Tip O’Neill and many others
The US business community has many Irish people at leadership level and some of the U.S. corporations located in Ireland are here because of diaspora influence I see a renewed interest and support for the Diaspora dynamic
especially from our younger people I believe we can create a Greater Ireland by harnessing this support within our global family

​

- Of course there are challenges…
At present 50k people annually need to find employment outside of the territory of Ireland
Some with a sense of excitement and adventure Many with a mindset of regret - This regret mindset is something I truly believe needs to be challenged…..

 

Openness to a greater world only enriches us…. With the right diaspora support the transition to living an
international life is made easier and safer

​

SUPPORT FROM ORGANISATIONS

When Martin Russell invited Catherine Fox my colleague, and I, to participate in this seminar we reviewed the various
organisations and groups who offer support and connectivity to the diaspora. We are impressed by so many..

​

The Irish Embassies are increasingly becoming active in supporting business endeavour – the Department of Foreign
Affairs and the Department of Trade are now combined – this makes a lot of sense

 

The 2009 Economic Forum in Farmleigh was a very good idea and I believe this year the forum will grow in influence and in contribution

 

The Irish Chambers of Commerce – Paul Loftus in Montreal is an example of a Chamber President doing great
work…..As a speaker Paul is a hard act to follow!!!!!!!!!!!

Due to our work in Canada we are aware of the excellent work being done by the Ireland/Canada Business Association and the Canadian Embassy in Dublin

 

The Ireland Asia/Pacific Group who have a powerful presence in Asia and who are so relevant as the world tilts to the East!

Enterprise Ireland and the Irish Export Association who are doing excellent work…

 

Mike Feerick of The Ireland Reaching Out group who is working along with David McWilliams to combine
genealogy and networking. Ireland Reaching Out connects emigrants to their Irish parish. You return to not just a welcome from your newly discovered relatives, but also to a welcome from the community of your ancestors. In turn the local Irish community is encouraged to pay a reciprocal visit to the place and the country of their new-found diaspora cousin. Mick Feerick of Ireland Reaching Out has a great vision…check him out online

I believe that an essential part of support is good networks….

​

NETWORKING
Diaspora networking is now possible in ways never before possible due to the resource of technology
We all know the value and the power of networking. It is my desire to be part of developing and strengthening our diaspora networks

 

Good examples of sectoral professional networks exist in the accountancy and legal professions. More recently they are
developing for architects, engineers and surveyors I believe the diaspora networks can support indigenous Irish
companies developing their business at home and abroad. These are many exemplary companies created out of Ireland
with both a global identity and an Irish identity and opportunity to grow many more

 

The hotel sector is known for its strong networks. Our hotel training colleges are well-regarded and Irish people populate
international hotel brands at all levels. The Jumeirah group and the Four Seasons group both have Irish men leading their
organisations

​

SUSTAINABILITY AND COMMUNITY

When I read books such as Superconnect and Outliers it seems to me the message of sustainability and community is a message whose time has come I think this message is important to communicate Sustainability and Community needs:

• Healthy buildings

• Healthy business culture

• Healthy relationships with - family – friends - colleagues

 

I believe that we the Irish carry in our hearts a sense of Community and Wellbeing

 

By communicating this message to each other within the diaspora we re-inforce our sense of values and our sense of place and people

 

In essence we advocate a supportive and connected world!

​

DIASPORA PROPOSALS

For some time I have been thinking of ways to support and to contribute to energising our diaspora I have two proposals I would like to share with you

​

1. A Diaspora Directory

2. A Diaspora Bond

​

A Diaspora Directory

This would leverage off LinkedIn technology. It would work as and information exchange that enables Diaspora to connect and collaborate - It would

• Identify employment opportunity

• Highlight investment opportunity

• Highlight business success stories

• It would profile Irish Diapora across the globe

​

A Diaspora Bond

We are aware of the success story of the Israeli Bond Imagine what can be done if just a percentage of us opt to invest

in ourselves and in the future of our children…. Investment for specific purposes could include developing
Ireland as centre for International Education There is tremendous potential for us to evolve and enhance our
3 rd level colleges so they have true international appeal Ireland is renowned for its education and its educators. When
we combine education and Irish hospitality we can really offer something special….

 

A DIASPORA BOND IS SOMETHING THAT COULD BE A LEGACY AND A LIFEBLOOD

​

THANK YOU…..

 

I am thrilled to have been part of 2 great inspiring days I learnt a lot and thoroughly enjoyed myself
Thanks to Martin to Liam for organising us all so well. It has been my honour and privilege to participate.
May I leave you with the thought….. “You do not have to sleep to dream”
SO!.. let us dream some dreams and make them real!

Thank you!