A Boston College discussion series launched this semester seeks to build stronger transatlantic relationships between the U.S. and Europe through Ireland鈥檚 global experience.
精东影业鈥檚 Global Leadership Institute, in cooperation with the Consulate General of Ireland in Boston, inaugurated the 鈥淚reland at Boston College鈥檚 Leadership Fireside Chat Series鈥� by hosting Irish Ambassador to the U.S. H.E. Daniel Mulhall in Creagh Library at GLI鈥檚 Brighton Campus headquarters.
Robert Mauro (Lee Pellegrini)
The February 25 event, 鈥淚reland鈥檚 Transatlantic Horizons: The Future of EU-U.S. Relations,鈥� featured a conversation between GLI Executive Director Robert Mauro and Mulhall, a longtime Irish civil servant who has extensive experience in foreign affairs. In addition to recent developments in Irish politics, Mulhall and Mauro touched on general subjects鈥擨reland鈥檚 leadership in Europe and its overall place in the world.
鈥淚reland is helping the European Union articulate a position that both defends European principles and the integrity of the Good Friday Agreement through the Brexit process,鈥� said Mauro, recounting the event. 鈥淭hey have been working closely with their European partners and contributing at the highest levels of their government to the negotiations. In addition, they have been leveraging their experiences in the U.S. to help shape the future of U.S.-EU relations: for example, using networks, relationships, and knowledge of U.S. political decision-making can be helpful 聽for EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan in his negotiations with the Trump administration.
鈥淎s an example, Dan told a very nice story about sourcing a first-edition biography of [18th/19th-century Irish nationalist] Robert Emmet that Hogan gave to Robert Emmet Lighthizer, Hogan鈥檚 counterpart in the Trump administration.鈥�
Mauro said the collaboration with the Consulate General to organize the series reflects 精东影业鈥檚 extensive ties to Ireland, built through decades of programs and initiatives. 鈥溇耙� has a reputation of being able to find resources, bring people together, and get things done. We鈥檙e very happy to join with the Consulate General in supporting this endeavor.鈥�
The series builds on a previous 鈥淔ireside Chat鈥� forum organized by the GLI, with a similar format鈥攁 dialogue between Mauro and a high-profile guest prominent in the areas of business and politics鈥攖hat began four years ago. These events have been, and continue to be, open to the Boston College community and public and, according to Mauro, have often attracted large audiences and key decision-makers in the Greater Boston area.
The GLI has focused on Ireland as both a 鈥渢ransatlantic bridge鈥� helping connect the U.S. with Europe, and an emerging global leader, said Mauro. This emphasis on 鈥淕lobal Ireland鈥� is built around three themes: Ireland鈥檚 special role as a leader in creating economic partnerships between the U.S. and Europe; its part in tackling global challenges; and enhancing peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland while promoting North-South and East-West cooperation through the U.S.
The new series will seek to expand this perspective and reach beyond existing professional and political networks, said Mauro, 鈥渃reating conversations that seek a two-way and mutually beneficial engagement.鈥�
鈥淚reland has a global presence,鈥� he said, 鈥渁nd its goal is to be a good world citizen. This includes supporting peace and reconciliation around the world, promoting scientific and enterprise development, articulating clear positions on global challenges such as climate change, and providing humanitarian assistance in the most difficult circumstances.鈥�
Future events for the Ireland at Boston College鈥檚 Leadership Fireside Chat Series are currently under discussion and will be announced at a later date, Mauro said.
Information on this and other Global Leadership Institute programs is available at .
Sean Smith | University Communications | March 2020