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Ireland's political and cultural magazine
Alliance (ERA) is a coa-
lition of over civil society groups and
activists in Ireland. It is the voice of women,
older people, children, minority ethnic people,
people with disabilities, workers, migrants,
Travellers, gay, lesbian and transgender
people, parents, carers and many more
who protest against the Irish Government’s
undermining of our equality, human rights,
anti-racism and anti-poverty institutions.
Its mission is to defend and strengthen
the equality and human rights statutory
infrastructure.
Will it be around in five years? May well
be
Likes to march? Wearing different hats
Kevin Myers or Vincent Browne? VB
Will it take over? May be pulling the strings
of some of those who do
Electoral chances: not quite its agenda
Tips: work out how it’s going to be most
effective
, side of the formerly
religious alliance, CORI. You know: Sean Healy.
Social Justice Ireland subscribes to the values of
both human dignity and the centrality of the com-
munity. The person is seen as growing and devel-
oping in a context that includes other people and
the environment. Justice is understood in terms
of right relationships. It considers justice in the
Biblical tradition as a harmony that comes from
fidelity to right relationships with God, people,
institutions and the environment.
Social Justice Ireland is a membership-based
organisation.It is open to individuals (religious
and lay) and to groups (organisations and con-
gregations etc.) who support the basic thrust of
the values and work that form the core of Social
Justice Ireland.
It has eight key strategic objectives:
. To play a leading role in major public pol-
icy arenas on issues related to social justice;
. To give special priority to national
and international issues related to pov-
erty, inequality, social exclusion, sus-
tainability and the environment;
. To provide accurate social analysis,
credible alternatives and effective pathways
from the present situation to the future in all
areas of public policy in which we engage;
. To be one of the leading advo-
cates of the changes required to build
a society characterised by justice;
. To explore and develop a spirituality
that is capable of underpinning commitment
to, and work in, the area of social justice;
. To be a significant resource in the
area of enabling and empowering of people,
groups, organisations and communities in all
areas of activity in which we are involved;
. To be an effective communica-
tor in the public and other arenas where
social justice issues are addressed;
. To be an effective, coherent, cred-
ible and respected voice in all that we do.
--
competition “to ignite your imagination and
reward your thinking”. Cover page of its website
is full of tacky details about “what it takes to win”
and “enter our competition for the best Ireland
moment [yes it really says that]and win an
iPhone”. A lot like a Late Late Show competition
really. The competition is designed to find two
major proposals that, when implemented, will
transform our economy - or significant elements
of it - by creating jobs and opportunity. Christ is
there not more to Ireland than jobs and opportu-
nity. The project is overseen by a board chaired
by former Bank of Ireland governor Dr Laurence
Crowley. Directors include Martin Murphy,
managing director of Hewlett Packard Ireland
and Eugene McCague, chairman of Arthur Cox
solicitors. The competition is judged by a bunch
of exciting businessy people including Tim Cody,
Senior Executive, Accenture Ireland; Mary Davis,
Managing Director, Special Olympics Europe/
Eurasia; Paul Kerley, Chief Executive Officer,
Norkom Technologies; David Byrne, the chair-
man, is a former EU Commissioner. Clearly the
assumption is the McAleese family starting
point - that our business people can resolve it
all – again.
Will it be around in five years? No
Likes to march? No
Kevin Myers or Vincent Browne? McAleese
Will it take over? No
Electoral chances: not interested in anything
except business, which it calls opportunity.
Tips: solutions are more radical than those
business can provide
Frank Convery
