10 years on from a recession that spun Ireland to new depths, we are emerging into a period of tenuous prosperity overshadowed by global instability. During that tumultuous decade, a new generation found their political voice and have signalled a redirection of Irish political discourse. The ship has been steadied and now we must decide where we want to go. It is time to point Ireland in a clear direction; but taking us from here to where?

As the two main parties get down to negotiating what is effectively a new programme for Government, Ireland is at a crossroads. Will we be a tempering force on the global stage marching forward on progressive issues such as equality, climate justice, sustainability and good governance? Or will populism find a foothold here too, trading hard progressive policies for easy regressive politics in an era of fevered rhetoric?

On inequality, can we negotiate an end to the unacceptable levels of poverty in Ireland?

On climate and sustainability, can we accept that no amount of accounting trickery will lessen the damage we are doing to our environment? On governance, as policy has become more centralised at regional and national levels in the name of efficiency, can we negotiate new avenues of participation to be opened up so as to strengthen our democracy?

At this pivotal time for key negotiators, let us take a view on what the recession has taught us, let us distribute the prosperity we have earned fairly and sustainably and let us bolster the confidence of a new generation so as to secure the supply of new progressive ideas and ambitions. Let us begin charting a new course, from here to where?

Please join us for what promises to be a highly engaging and stimulating conference.

Agenda:

09:00 Registration

09:30 Keynote Addresses
Paddy Cosgrave, CEO, Web Summit
Christine Bohan, Assistant Editor, Journal.ie

11:00 Tea/Coffee

11:30 The Years Ahead: Social Policy and Sustainability
Tony Fahey (UCD)
Cara Augustenborg (USA, UCD and Friends of the Earth)

13:00 Lunch

14:00 From Here to Where? Different Viewpoints
Emmet Kirwan (Actor, Playwright, Screenwriter)
Representatives from the National Youth Council of Ireland

14.45 Centralisation and Decentralisation
Theresa Reidy (UCC)

15:30 Tea/Coffee

16:00 A Programme for Government: Priorities for the Coming Years
Seán Healy, Colette Bennett, Eamon Murphy and Michelle Murphy (Social Justice Ireland)

17.00 Conference Close

The Annual General Meeting of Social Justice Ireland will follow the Conference