The challenges for the economies of Ireland’s offshore islands in a “post-COVID world” will be discussed with a number of contributors at a “virtual summit” next Wednesday (Sept 2).
Comdháil Oileáín na hÉireann, the Irish Island Federation, is supporting the free “webinar”, hosted by Dr Noirín Burke of the Irish Ocean Literacy Network and Trish Hegarty of Inis Communications in Donegal.
As Afloat previously reported, The “webinar” is Ireland’s “virtual hub event” for the second global Virtual Island Summit, involving over 100 island communities, from September 7th to 13th.
“Islanders work hard to maintain their economies, stay connected and create a sustainable future, something that has been extra challenging this year with Covid-19,” Dr Burke says.
Ms Hegarty says the event will explore how islands connect “to each other, to the mainland and to other islands across Europe and the world”.
Islanders working in enterprise, economic and community development and other experts working with island communities in areas like energy, sustainability, technology and connectivity will participate.
Irish Island Federation secretary Rhoda Twombly noted that her members are “more than used to connecting online” because of their physical distance and separation from the mainland.
“But in this time of social distancing and such an uncertain future, it’s more important than ever to strengthen our national and global connections to learn from each other’s experiences,”she said.
Contributors to the event include Virtual Island Summit founder and “Forbes Top 30 under 30” innovator James Ellsmoor; Ms Twombly and John Walsh of Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann and the European Small Islands Federation; Cathy Ní Ghóill, manager of Comharchumann Forbartha Arann; and Máirtín Ó Méalóid, manager of Cape Clear Island Cooperative and Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann vice-chair.
Also contributing are award-winning Mayo-based journalist Áine Ryan, who is interested in issues affecting rural and peripheral communities; University College, Cork researcher Dr Sarah Robinson, who is working with island communities on Bere, Sherkin and Cape Clear to establish community radio; Irish Tech News chief editor Simon Cocking; and Brendan Smith, education and public engagement officer at the Insight Centre for Data Analytics in Galway.
Attendance is free but registration is essential to take part.
To register on Zoom, click here