From experience, the Northwest region is on the verge of a positive breakthrough, and in recent years has taken monumental steps towards regeneration as regards its economic, social and most importantly, political progress. This new social, political and economic progress has in part been fostered by reconciliation projects such as the Laurentic conference and commemoration.
Over the course of the past eight years, the Laurentic conference has been a key instigator for cross-border change and collaboration, thus the conference and commemoration has already made an impact in the northwest.
At its heart, the Laurentic conference and commemoration targets the civil society in order to give a voice to the volunteer community sector, while also connecting the public and private sectors. Over the past few years, we have worked hard to engage the anointed future—transition year students—giving them an understanding and an important voice, enabling them to step into the role of leadership in the years ahead.
In order to build on this platform of reconciliation, it must be reinforced by economic development and prosperity. The Laurentic conference and commemoration is well-placed to help make this happen, becoming an engine for change as we go from strength to strength.
The Laurentic Conference Concept
The Laurentic Conference emerged as a concept following a speech given by the previous Canadian Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland Pat Binns at our 2nd Annual Laurentic Commemoration where he highlighted the opportunities to use that event as a platform to create some positive economic benefits for a shared better future for all.
It was here the story begins- keeping in mind that its initial seeds were sown a year earlier when a group of ten of us like-minded individuals got together, chipped in and brought a wreath and between us and held a small but poignant ceremony at the Laurentic Memorial at St Mura’s Church of Ireland graveyard in Fahan Co Donegal to commemorate the 31 Irishmen and 22 Canadians who were among the 354 men who died on the sinking of the HMS Laurentic on Lough Swilly in 1917.
From these humble and organic beginnings the Laurentic Conference has grown into the Northwest of Ireland’s Flagship Cross-Border Trans Atlantic Economic Development Conference connecting the Northwest of the Island of Ireland with Atlantic Canada with the ethos that if we are to build on this foundation of Reconciliation it has to be reinforced with Economic Development and Prosperity hence the over arching theme to the Laurentic Conference is Remembrance, Reconciliation and Prosperity.
In doing so, we drive home the fact that the Cross-Border Donegal, Derry-Londonderry Region is one Economic Zone and is home to the following:-
- The 4th Largest Urban Conurbation in the Island of Ireland with a hinterland population of over 440.000 people
- A highly Educated workforce
- Host to 2 University campuses
- 2 Regional Technical Collages
- A Multi Media Innovation Training Center
- 3 Hospitals
- 2 Regional Airports
- Irelands Premier Offshore Port and Support Base
- The Largest Aquaculture Production in the Northwest of Ireland
- 3 Innovative Incubation Centers
- Has Trans Atlantic Fibre Optic Connectivity with Project Kelvin
- 5 hrs from Belfast International Airport
- 3 Hrs from Dublin International Airport
Some of the Keynote Speakers and people that have visited and engaged with this region from Canada over the past number of years were as follows:-
- Barry Snow – Executive Director of Ireland Business Partnership ( Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Kristy Clarke-INP
- Meghan Drover- Executive Director of Ireland Business Partnership ( Government of Newfound land and Labrador)
- Dorian Rowe, Program Director Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Cooperation
- Paul Loftus, President of the Montreal Branch of the Irish Canadian Chamber of Commerce
- Paul Mills, Vice President of ACOA (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
- Pat Curran, Independent Consultants, St John’s NL
- John Connors, Executive Director COMPAS St John’s
- Pat Jessup- (Ret’d) Lieutenant Commander Canadian Navy
- Jim Reddy- (Ret’d) Lieutenant Commander Canadian Navy
- Capt Norm Jolin- Canadian Armed Forces Attaché to the Rep of Ireland
- Dr Gordon Cooke- Faculty of Business and Administration – Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Allison Dancey- Ireland UK Trade and Development Officer with the Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Green Seafoods
- Roger Power – Excutive Director of Startup NL
- Derrick Thompson- President of the Irish Loop Chamber of Commerce
- Gary Corbitt-CEO of the Town of Holyrood, NL
- Jeff Walsh – CEO of Seashore Consultants
- Richard Phillipe – Senior Trade Commissioner to the Canadian Embassy
- Suzanne Cormie- Senior Trade Commissioner to the Canadian Embassy
- Canadian Ambassador to Ireland H. E, Pat Bins
- Canadian Ambassador to Ireland E, Loyola Hearn
- Canadian Ambassador to Ireland H.E, Kevin Vickers
This project has been woven together over the years with some of the top keynote speakers from the Island of Ireland from Political, Private and Public Sectors alongside the Canadian Ambassador and the Senior Trade Commissioner to the Canadian Embassy
As a direct result from the Laurentic Conference there have been many tangible outcomes and connections made and we have seen companies from Atlantic Canada visit this region on Canadian government funded trade missions and developed a strong working relationship with the Canadian Embassy and various governmental agencies in Canada. So as mentioned above, from that poignant small wreath laying ceremony ten years ago we have evolved substantially Regionally, Nationally and Internationally.