President Michael D Higgins spoke of the scandal and madness of how the world's manufacturers of arms market and sell their tools of death in Africa.
He said that five member states of the Security Council are responsible for two-thirds of the world's weapons.
The President of Ireland stressed the importance of the role of women in conflict resolution and referred to the important work they played in the Northern Ireland peace process.
Former President Mary Robinson argued that we need a completely new mindset about human mobility, yes we need to manage borders but allow people to move.
When it comes to Europe's migration policy she commented: "Europe is disgraceful."
There are 65 million displaced people in the world.
President Bill Clinton, who spoke for close to an hour immediately after lunch, told his audience that it was his third visit to Ireland this year and would only be delighted to find any excuse to come back as often as possible to the country next year.
In complimenting Concern, President Clinton quipped: "We [in the US] may need you now more than anybody".
RTE's Áine Lawlor was master of ceremonies. She managed to mix effeciency with a sense of humour. EveryThing flowed as day folows night. She was even able to joke about Bill Clinton's security detail, while at the sam time havi g a word in the man's ear.
She praised the work he did for Ireland and Bill Clinton appeared genuinely moved, even maybe embarrassed.
RTE's Áine Lawlor was master of ceremonies. She managed to mix effeciency with a sense of humour. EveryThing flowed as day folows night. She was even able to joke about Bill Clinton's security detail, while at the sam time havi g a word in the man's ear.
She praised the work he did for Ireland and Bill Clinton appeared genuinely moved, even maybe embarrassed.
Irish business man Denis O'Brien introduced President Clinton.
The conference was possible because of Concern's partnership with Irish Aid, Microsoft, The Irish Times, Iris O'Brien Foundation, Web Summit.
1 comment:
It might not be the right place to bring this up but I was scandalised many years ago when I found out that former public sector VIPs charge the earth to make speeches at functions. I had always thought of it as an extension of public service.
Most of these people are either on good pensions or have other sources of income. And I'm not disputing expenses, just fees.
For me it takes enormously from whatever message they are trying to put across.
Hopefully Clinton was speaking pro bono on this occasion.
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