The Kennedy Summer School in New Ross will this year be focused on a far wider world than County Wexford.
The annual gathering, which this year runs August 29-31will, among other things, consider "The NATO Divide: Perspectives on Ireland’s Neutrality and National Security."
Guests speakers will include Jim Roche, Dr. Kim Osborne, Senator Gerard Craughwell, and U.S. Air Force Major General Tim Zadalis (Ret.) The moderator will be Dr. Stacey L. Connaughton.
Jim Roche will be representing the Irish Anti-War Movement. Dr. Kim Osborne is a former Chief Strategic Communication Advisor in Kabul, Afghanistan at the end of Operation Enduring Freedom. Gerard Craughwell is an Independent member of Seanad Eireann, while Dr. Connaughton is Director of the Purdue Policy Research Institute at Purdue University.
Speaking ahead of the event Dr. Connaughton said: “We will have an in-depth conversation with U.S. Air Force Major General Timothy Zadalis (Ret.) on security in Europe followed by a lively for-and-against panel on NATO, neutrality and Ireland in what is expected to be an animated and thought-provoking event.”
This special session, according to a release, will see a discussion of Ireland’s position in the rapidly changing geopolitical environment that is Europe.
"The war in Ukraine has laid bare the weaknesses in the national defence capabilities of European nations and put the position of NATO in stark relief. Long-time neutral nations, such as Finland and Sweden have joined NATO. Questions remain about the viability of the neutrality of Austria and Ireland within the European Union. Ireland’s strategic importance as a landing point of transatlantic communications cables but limited naval resources has repeatedly been highlighted by other European nations."
"The U.S., under the Trump Administration and as repeated during the current campaign will place NATO protection on a strictly 'transactional' basis, reversing a security arrangement in place since 1945.
"How does Ireland respond? The 1937 Constitution already establishes the framework within which Ireland conducts its international relations. Article 29.1 provides that 'Ireland affirms its devotion to the ideal of peace and friendly co-operation amongst nations founded on international justice and morality.' Article 29.4.9 sets out that the State 'shall not adopt a decision taken by the European Council to establish a common defence according to Article 42 of the Treaty on European Union where that common defence would include the State.'
For further details and tickets for the 2024 events see www.kennedysummerschool.ie or call St. Michael’s Theatre on 051 421255. The Kennedy Summer School and Festival is run in association with the Office of Public Works, Failte Ireland, New Ross District Council, Wexford County Council, Purdue University and Boston College.
