You are invited to take part in a public conversation on whether self-interest or citizenship rules in Irish society, featuring a keynote address by Emily O’Reilly, European Ombudsman.

Oak Room, The Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2 | 11 Oct 2014 | 10.15am – 12noon

This event is now fully booked

Self interest or citizenship: which rules in Irish society? We’re going to be holding a public conversation exploring this question on the morning of Saturday, 11 October in Dublin and we hope that you will join us and get involved. The event will also see the formal launch of The People’s Conversation – Rethinking Citizenship for 2016, and will feature a keynote address by Emily O’Reilly, European Ombudsman.

Is there a particularly Irish concept of “citizenship”? In the almost 100 years since independence, have we developed a shared understanding of the rights and responsibilities of the people and their state? In Ireland can we talk about concepts of citizenship that extend beyond possession of a passport?

The People’s Conversation will be formally launched by Emily O’Reilly, European Ombudsman during this event. Following Ms O’Reilly’s address, the audience will take part in a public conversation on whether self-interest or citizenship dominates in Irish society, together with a panel of distinguished speakers including:

  • Tom Clonan, Irish Times Security Analyst
  • Colm O’Gorman, Director of Amnesty International in Ireland
  • Eleanor Tiernan, actor and comedian,
  • Jillian van Turnhout, senator and children’s rights activist
Emily O'ReillySpeaker: Emily O’Reilly

Emily O’Reilly was elected as the European Ombudsman in 2013. She is an author and former journalist and broadcaster who became Ireland’s first female Ombudsman in 2003.

As former political editor, broadcaster and author, her career attracted significant domestic and international recognition including a Harvard University Fellowship in 1988 and multiple national awards. She has written three critically acclaimed books on Irish politics and media and is a current member of the International Advisory Board of Harvard’s Nieman Foundation for Journalism.

Join a public conversation on citizenship featuring Emily O’Reilly: Dublin – 11 October 2014