Have you had enough of politicians' rhetoric, or of the failure of tired institutions to keep up with our rapidly changing world? Then meet the young, new thinkers of Ireland as they share their vision for the future.
Here, twenty-one of our leading creative thinkers and problem-solvers rip up the rule book and start again, presenting a new vision for Ireland. They cover a diverse range of topics that affect all our lives, from Art to Diaspora, Religion to Research and, of course, Banking. These are tomorrow's leaders. The future is bright.
Some essays propose extreme ideas: imagining democratically run companies, three-day working weeks, a Google bank, and safer roads bereft of signs or markings; while others put forward very possible ways in which Ireland can become a global leader in areas in which we already excel.
In most instances, contributors have looked to the past - the psyche and make-up of Irish life - to inform their vision of the future. In others, they have referenced current successes.
This is a book about being Irish, about being resilient and, as surprising as it may sound, about overcoming current hardships and standing as a model for other countries to follow.
About the Author:
Louise Hodgson is programme director of The Undergraduate Awards (UA), an initiative founded in Ireland in 2008 to celebrate the brightest students who propose fresh arguments and new approaches in their studies. From humble beginnings, The Undergraduate Awards has rapidly expanded into hundreds of universities across the globe, and receives the official patronage of the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins. The annual UA Summit which involves workshops and think-ins with these bright young minds has been described as 'a Davos for students'.
With a background in media, Louise was previously editor of Who's Who in Irish Business 2008-2010; Most Influential US-Irish Business Leaders 2008; and editor of Life Sciences Review. She lives in Dublin.
