FREEDOM - LICENCE OR LIBERTY?

Freedom:  Licence or Liberty?  Engaging with a transforming Ireland.

7th & 8th November 2006
West County Hotel & Conference Centre, Ennis, Co Clare

The theme of the ninth annual Céifin conference was Freedom: Licence or Liberty? and speakers drew on their own particular areas of knowledge and expertise to discuss the issues highlighted below.

There is little dispute that Ireland in the 21st century is a society in transformation.  With an economy registering unparalleled growth, a rising population buoyed by an enriching immigrant community and an overall confidence in our future, we have much to celebrate.  There is however a downside to that transformation.  We may, by some criteria, be deemed to be the second wealthiest nation in the world, but for all our success there are many who feel disconnected and marginalised in our society.  We may be enjoying freedom from the shackles- economic or social - of our past, but does that freedom constitute true liberty or is it engendering a licence that is gnawing at and ultimately threatening the fabric of our ‘new’ society?"

Following the success of the ‘Telling My Story’ segment in the 2005 conference, four of the 'new Irish' were invited to share their experiences of Ireland as a multicultural society in a panel interview faciliatated by Cian O'Siochain of Clare FM.

A young persons perspective on our changing society was also offered in a panel discussion chaired by Rachael English, which incorporated feedback from the 1st Céifin National Students Conference.

Files to download:

• 9th Annual Ceifin Conference 2006 - Brochure