February 2008 CEO of GOAL to Visit NUI Galway for Public Seminar

John O'Shea, the CEO of GOAL, will deliver a public seminar at NUI Galway on Thursday, 21 February, from 1-2pm. The high-profile campaigner will offer personal and professional reflections on 'The Tragedy That Is the Third World' and the work of GOAL in terms of crisis reduction. The event is being hosted by the University's Community Knowledge Initiative in partnership with the student-led GOAL Society.

From its first year of operation in 1977, when it spent €12,000 on a street children's project in Calcutta, GOAL has grown to spend over €400 million implementing relief and development programmes in 50 countries in the past 30 years.

Student Peter Mannion, who heads up the GOAL Society at NUI Galway, said, "With over 200 members, our student society is very active in terms of fundraising to support GOAL. We are thrilled to have John visiting us here on campus and look forward to hearing his point of view, as he has been on the front-line in terms of responding to major natural and man-made disasters for over thirty years."

John O'Shea's visit is part of a long-running Keynote Seminar Series devised by the Community Knowledge Initiative (CKI) at NUI Galway to address pertinent civic issues. According to Lorraine McIlrath, who coordinates CKI, "We have had some fascinating seminars in the past, with the likes of Dr. Garrett FitzGerald and Michael D. Higgins T.D., which help generate debate among about our society and civic responsibilities. This event will be a great opportunity to hear some of John's personal insights regarding the sometimes controversial arena of international relief and development."

This free, public event takes place in the Siobhán McKenna Theatre, Arts Millennium Building, from 1-2pm. To attend, please contact Mary Bernard at the CKI Office by e-mail mary.bernard@nuigalway.ie or by phone 091 493823.

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