REMARKS BY MARY McALEESE AT A RECEPTION FOR DELEGATES TO THE CARETAKERS OF THE ENVIRONMENT
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT A RECEPTION FOR DELEGATES TO THE CARETAKERS OF THE ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE
I am delighted to be with you all here this morning at Tailors Hall – in the heart of old Dublin – and very much a part of the ‘environment’ of the Liberties. I want to say how grateful I am to Andrew Cox of Caretakers of the Environment Ireland, who are hosting this year’s Conference – for giving me this honour. I would also like to thank Philip Geoghegan of An Taisce, for his warm words of welcome.
- In ‘formally’ welcoming each of you to the Dublin - I would particularly like to extend a very warm Irish welcome to the overseas delegates who have come to Ireland for what I have no doubt is an interesting and enjoyable conference. I know that quite a number of you are visiting Ireland for the first time – and you will have probably realised by now that we don’t have much control over our weather! In fact you could say that in Ireland we have no shortage of environment – with an overactive natural sprinkler system which is in full spate at the moment!
- I have to say that this is the first time I’ve heard of a conference that moves – with four days at Newtown School in Waterford – and four days at the university of Ulster in Coleraine – with a four hour stop in Dublin in between! I think when you consider that Caretakers of the Environment Ireland is made up of teachers and students from both North and South – you will realise that the decision to move it from one end of the island to the very opposite end – was a bold and an adventurous decision – and I commend C.E.I. on their vision in organising this unique conference. While this style of conference is a first for Caretakers International – I think that it contains a lesson for others who are involved in co-operative projects across these jurisdictions.
- I suppose that coming together of teachers and students from different traditions and communities around Ireland – symbolises the universality of the environment – where trees and grass don’t change colour simply because they grow on either side of a fence – and rivers don’t stop flowing because they’ve reached a national boundary. The environment is a common denominator that transcends the divisions of culture and tradition – and is something on which it is very easy to find common ground.
- The theme of your conference – Management of the Rural Environment – covering topics like rural tourism – coastal zone management – exploitation of the natural resources – the arts and the environment – and energy and waste management - has as much relevance in Ireland today as it has in many other countries. For us particularly – at a time when we have experienced unprecedented economic growth and prosperity – when the drive for industrial development is yielding very positive results – it is timely to focus on the environment – on the impact of that rapid development – and to promote a greater awareness of the need to take special care of our natural and beautiful environment.
- For you here this morning who are charged with the education of young people – with forming minds and attitudes – with instilling values and judgement – yours is an onerous duty – a duty to ensure that the coming generations can appreciate just how important it is to respect and preserve our environment – and how important it is to have consideration of and for the environment as the top priority in the development of enterprise – especially rural enterprise. Through your involvement with Caretakers of the Environment – you have demonstrated your firm interest and commitment – and I want to commend each and every one of you for what you have done with those who are in your care.
- I know that in Dublin, the Curriculum Development Unit has led an EU trans-national project - promoting links between the practical teaching of environmental literacy – and attempts within local areas to develop new and more environmentally sustainable enterprises. Out of that project a resource book for teachers has been produced - entitled “Linking Environmental Education and Community Enterprise Programme” - which has just been published – and which is an input to your conference. I would like to commend the Curriculum Development Unit on producing this resource book – which I have no doubt will make a significant contribution to environmental education.
- I know that you will later move on to Coleraine to continue with your conference – and it strikes me that a very positive spin-off effect in relocating for the second part of the conference is in the opportunity afforded to actually see the environment of Ireland while you are en route. I hope that you get sufficient time along your journey to get a flavour for our environment – and to appreciate the subtle beauty of this unique island.
- I hope you have an enjoyable and fruitful conference - discussing the many perspectives and possibilities that our changing society brings with it – and meeting others with whom you have something special in common. The opportunity at conferences such as this, to make new contacts – to make new friends and renew acquaintances – gives it an added value that is impossible to quantify.