Bill Clinton looks embarrassed

This week's Independent News & Media Irish regional newspapers' column.

Michael Commane

Concern Worldwide celebrates its 50^th birthday this year. To mark the occasion, the Non Governmental Organisation held an international conference at Dublin Castle on Friday September 7.

Over a period of 50 years, Concern has grown into Ireland’s largest humanitarian and development organisation. But the agency has never forgotten its roots as an instinctual response to the outrage of human suffering.

Having spent 10 years working in the Concern press office they kindly invited me to attend.

Among the speakers were President Michael D. Higgins and former President Mary Robinson. It was an impressive turn out of people from the world of diplomacy and aid agencies.

Concern chairman John Treacy welcomed us to the conference.

Michael D. Higgins gave a scholarly talk on the importance of the role Concern plays in development work. In his speech he had hard-hitting words to say to those who manufacture and sell arms in the developing world. He pointed out how the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, China, the US, the UK, Russia and France, manufacture two thirds of the world’s armaments.

President Mary Robinson in a panel discussion said it was ‘disgraceful how Europe is treating migrants’.

After our lunch-break we were advised to be back in our seats at 1.45pm. Áine Lawlor, who was MC on the day, told us that we had to be seated well before the next speaker arrived. We were told his ‘people’ were ‘sanitising’ the room. 

Businessman Denis O’Brien introduces President Bill Clinton.

The 42nd US president and former governor of Arkansas talks for close to an hour. That deadly time, immediately after lunch, when people have trouble staying awake. But we are on our toes listening to Bill.

It was a class act of how to talk in public. He is charismatic, funny, and above all so well briefed on his topic. The man knows how to engage his listeners. He has that rare gift that you think he is talking specifically to you.

He has complimentary words to say about Concern and the work it does.

He regularly refers to the Northern Ireland peace process and the Good Friday Agreement.

It's clear that his involvement in the Northern Ireland Peace Process has left a long-lasting impression on him.

The central theme of his talk is that we are all tribal in our outlook but the overall good of humanity supersedes our tribalism. He stresses the importance of compromise wherever there is conflict in the world. Clinton believes that diverse groups make better decisions than homogeneous ones.

At one stage he quips that Concern with its skills in bringing people together might well be needed right now in the United States.

When he is finished talking, Áine Lawlor has a few private words in his ear, she then returns to the rostrum and thanks him for the work he has done in Northern Ireland. 

As she speaks, I look over at Clinton. It seems as if he is about to walk away, but then he hears her speak and stops. He is listening. His head is bowed and he appears genuinely moved, maybe even embarrassed as Áine speaks her words. It is one of those extraordinary moments.

President Clinton tells us that it is his third visit to Ireland this year and is looking for excuses so that he can come back again next year as many times as possible.

It was a privilege to have been there. Inspiring too to hear about the work Concern is doing.