Representatives from two key Government departments will outline Ireland’s new approach to international sports diplomacy at a stakeholder gathering in Cork tomorrow morning, Friday, 5th June.
Robert O’Driscoll, Director of the Global Ireland Unit at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Ciarán Shanley, Principal Officer with the Sport Policy Unit at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, will address the group at the latest gathering of the Cork Sport 2040 group meeting on Friday, June 5th, at the National Rowing Centre in Farran, Cork.
The session will focus on Ireland’s first International Sports Diplomacy Strategy, Raising the Bar on Ireland’s Global Ambition 2026–2030, published earlier this year, which sets out a framework for how sport can strengthen Ireland’s international profile, deepen diplomatic relationships, and create economic, tourism, and cultural opportunities.
The strategy reflects the growing recognition of sport as a vehicle for soft power and international engagement, building on Ireland’s increasing role in hosting major events and developing overseas sporting partnerships.
Among the areas highlighted in the strategy are enhancing Ireland’s reputation through sport, supporting Irish sporting organisations and athletes abroad, strengthening links with the Irish diaspora, and leveraging global sporting events to drive trade, tourism, and investment.
O’Driscoll and Shanley are expected to discuss how the strategy can be implemented in partnership with stakeholders across sport, business, tourism and local government, with the Cork gathering forming part of wider engagement around the initiative.
Cork Sport 2040 is an initiative designed to harness the collaborative power of those interested in sport across the Cork region. It is being driven in its early stages by Maeve Buckley of Leading Sport, Sinéad O’Keeffe of Cork GAA and Rob Hartnett of Sport for Business.
The meeting will also provide an opportunity for stakeholders attending the event to discuss collaboration opportunities and the role that Cork and the wider region can play in supporting the strategy’s ambitions over the next five, ten, and more years.
The event will begin at 10 am on Friday, June 5th, at the National Rowing Centre in Farran Woods, Cork.
There are a limited number of places still available if you would like to join us.
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