Ireland: the High Cost of Austerity

Our Ireland study abroad program was a great success. My students were dynamic and engaged. I think we all learned much from the trip -- both in and out of the class meetings.

One of the two courses -- Facing the Future: Ireland Responds to Economic Crisis -- focused on the current economic, social and political conditions of a small struggling country. I'll share more about this experience shortly.

If you're interested, this recent article in the New York Times provides a good overview of the dilemmas Irish people face.

Globalization -- and Asia's Return to Economic Supremacy

This week, our study abroad program is visiting at University College Dublin -- comparing the response to global economic crisis in Ireland and the US, and assessing the long-term effects on these two countries.



Today, we had an excellent presentation by Dr. Niamh Hardiman (of UCD's Geary Institute) entitled Liberalism in Crisis. She showed well the magnitude of economic, fiscal and political challenges European countries now face.



Tonight, I read this essay by Michael Hennigan at Finfacts.



It will take time, but I think you'll find it worth reading.

Bad Luck for the Irish Economy

I just arrived in Dublin -- to lead an MU study abroad program in Ireland/N. Ireland. (See here, here and here for more background).


I teach a course called Facing the Future: Ireland's Response to Economic Crisis. Ironically, today a friend sent this post.


It's worth reading -- including the comments.

More on Irish housing surplus

As a quick follow up to this recent post -

Here's a piece about what it's like to live in one of Ireland's 621 newly-developed, but largely unoccupied housing subdivisions.

One in five housing units is now vacant in Ireland.

Secretary Clinton and St. Patrick

Few Americans in history are more highly regarded than Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.  For many years she's been a champion of peace and an advocate for children in the North and South.  According to her speech at the American Ireland Fund Gala last night, she's never visited Ireland on St. Patrick's Day.

Tonight, she is en route to Moscow -- but her entourage will stop in Shannon for an hour - so she can enjoy that distinction.

Take a minute to read her keynote address last night and her official proclamation from today.

International Education - China and India Outlook

I was poking around on Finfacts - preparing for our summer study abroad course on the Irish Facing the Future. 

While there - I came across this article that compares demographic outlooks in BRIC countries.

As most US public universities, MU is very interested in attracting talented students from China and India. As we position ourselves in these highly competitive markets, we need to compare demographic outlooks, institutional strengths and connections, and effective demands for higher education in these (and other) countries.

Historic Vote in Northern Ireland Assembly

Today marks an historic vote by the Northern Ireland Assembly to move forward with the transfer of authority for police and justice from Westminster.  

This link provides a good summary of the action, plus useful background materials.

Economic Crisis: Similarities between Ireland and US

New York Times columnist Paul Krugman had a great piece on some differences and some key similarities in the sources of economic crisis in the US and Ireland.

He says..

So what can we learn from the way Ireland had a U.S.-type financial crisis with very different institutions? Mainly, that we have to focus as much on the regulators as on the regulations. By all means, let’s limit both leverage and the use of securitization — which were part of what Canada did right. But such measures won’t matter unless they’re enforced by people who see it as their duty to say no to powerful bankers.

Ireland: Public Service Unions Protest Government Cuts

Public service unions in Ireland's North and South are implementing work stoppages and protests over government decisions to cut services and reduce pay by as much as 15% for some members.

This is a fitting back drop for our study abroad course "Facing the future: Ireland's response to economic crisis".

Serious Housing Surplus in Ireland

To follow up on recent posts on the Irish economy (here, here, and here, for example)...

A new report estimates there are up to 345,000 vacant housing units in the Republic of Ireland.  With a national population of 4.4 million, it will take a serious market correction to bring housing supply and demand back in line.

Ireland: Hotel Prices Down 21%

One of the courses I teach this summer explores the future of the Irish economy.  A sample of today's RTE headlines indicates the breath and depth of current economic difficulties.(See here, here, and here - for example.)

This story on falling prices for hotel rooms caught my attention.  It follows a previous report that estimates a surplus of 15,000 hotel rooms in the Irish market.  This is good news for Irish visitors...but it paints a pretty bleak picture of at least one key economic sector.

Irish Economic Boom is "Largely Wasted"

More background on prospects for the Irish Economy...

This research report concludes that the recent high income years in Ireland have been "largely wasted" on housing, commercial and retail construction.  As a consequence, investment in national infrastructure (hospitals, schools, transportation and telecommunication) is insufficient, and in need of careful attention.

Focusing public investment in education is seen as a key to Ireland's future.

New Contest - to Transform Irish Economy

This summer I will lead a study abroad course on "Ireland facing the future".  The economic challenges before the Irish people are daunting.  In fact, President Mary McAleese just launched a competition called "Your Country, Your Call" that awards two significant cash prizes for ideas that could transform the Irish economy. 

The competition closes on April 30.

New Deal in Northern Ireland

I'm preparing to lead a study abroad program in Ireland this summer, so I'm following current affairs pretty closely.

Today a key agreement was reached to transfer the authority for justice and policing from Westminster to the Northern Ireland Assembly.


For further information, see RTE news , the BBC , and this statement by US Secretary of State Clinton.  Also, check out the New York Times coverage, which includes a useful background video, reader comments, etc.

The focus of our summer study is on what Irish people (both North and South) are doing to face a very uncertain economic future.  Today's agreement will certainly be a part of our discussion.

Ireland Faces Economic Challenges

As we prepare next Summer's study abroad program, I've followed the news in Ireland. Later today, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions will launch a massive protest in eight different cities. The ICTU opposes government plans to stabilize public finances through deep cuts in education, health and social services. They propose a different approach to Irish economic recovery called A Better, Fairer Way.

There are no easy choices in public finance right now. This Summer's Ireland study program will take a closer look at the alternatives and the implications of decisions that will shape that country's future.

EU Ambassador John Bruton's Visit to Missouri

Last week we announced that EU Ambassador John Bruton would receive an honorary doctorate from MU. It as my great pleasure to host his visit here. Ambassador Bruton shares this account of his experience in our State.



Here's a brief excerpt:

An Honorary Doctorate from the University of Missouri

Last week I visited Missouri to receive an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Missouri at the convocation on the University campus in Columbia. Hundreds of students received degrees, and the total attendance at the event came to 5,000 people.

I have had an association with the University of Missouri since my time as Taoiseach (Prime Minister)....

In the course of my address at the ceremony in Columbia, I said that those graduating should see themselves not only as citizens of their state and country, but also as citizens of the world. The big problems we face today are global problems. Yet our democratic systems of government are confined within individual states. I said I believed we needed to develop forms of global or regional democracy beyond the confines of the nation state.

This theme was also taken up in a recent address by President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, at a Conference on Global Governance. He said the EU was a model for systems of democratic government above the level of the nation state. As he put it, the EU is:

“a union of states, peoples and citizens based on democracy, the rule of law, human rights and open markets with free competition. It has rejected traditional international politics, based on the threat of violence, in favour of international relations based on supranational laws and institutions.”

What Makes the Irish "Tick"?

It's just over a week now before we're off for Dublin, Derry, Donegal, Sligo and Galway. In June, I co-lead an MU study abroad program in Ireland. (See here, here, here and here for previous posts). My task is to guide our students exploring what's happened to Ireland in the last ten years. We'll do this by comparing life in three very different cities, and in a couple of remote rural places.

I've found a very accessible, insightful, thought-provoking book to support our program, called Global Ireland: Same Difference by well known UCD Sociology Professor Tom Inglis. I think it's worth reading for anyone who's interested in the past, present and challenging future of the people of the Irish island.

An excerpt from the book's forward:

The central question is simple: what have been the effects for Ireland of having moved so rapidly from being a very traditional, insular, Catholic society to becoming one of the most open, globalized societies in the world?

Ambassador John Bruton - MU Honorary Degree

It's graduation time at higher education institutions across the United States. This week the University of Missouri will confer approximately 5,000 academic degrees to worthy candidates.

Of course, there are many rich traditions surrounding MU graduation ceremonies. At the Honors Convocation, students with the highest academic achievement are recognized, along with their faculty mentors. We also use this occasion to confer honorary degrees to world-known leaders in sciences, humanities, business or public service. (Check here for a list of all MU honorary degree recipients).

Tomorrow, EU Ambassador John Bruton will receive the Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) degree. It was my pleasure to nominate Am. Bruton for this award (along with my colleague, Prof. Byron Scott - Emeritus).

As former Prime Minister of Ireland, Mr. Bruton was instrumental in establishing a number of very productive relationships between the University of Missouri and key institutions in Ireland. His efforts paved the way for me to begin my work in international research and education. My experience in Ireland and Northern Ireland has changed my life's work and friendships. For this, I'm truly grateful.

Irish: Training the Next Generation of Scientists

Since I'll spend June in Ireland this summer - co-leading a study abroad program - I've been following events and opinions in the media.

Today's Irish Times includes an interview with technology business leaders. If current trends hold, Ireland will prepare far fewer qualified scientists, engineers and mathematicians than needed by its employers. (Of course, we face a similar predicament in the US).

The Times asked several business leaders how they would address this problem.

Dr. Kevin Marshall -- Head of Education for Microsoft Ireland -- starts the conversation below:

The problems and issues that we face as a business are multidisciplinary and open-ended. Communication, teamwork, flexibility, the ability to work across boundaries, and taking account of cultural sensitivities are all very important, and as new technology emerges, we have to be agile and think globally.

The business leaders interviewed do not agree on all points, their comments are worth reading.

Lessons from the Irish Economy?

With a month to go before my study abroad course, Ireland is always on my mind.

Yesterday, the New York Times ran this piece by Paul Krugman. His analysis -- plus the readers' comments -- may be worth your time.