The Princess Grace Irish Library (PGIL), in collaboration and the Villanova University Center for Irish Studies in Philadelphia, USA hosted a symposium, 'Sustainability in Irish Culture - communication of sustainability through literature and culture', which took place in Monaco. Invited were scholars, writers, and artists from Ireland and the diaspora to present and discuss priorities and strategies to address sustainability and climate change.
Several excursions were part of the experience for the symposium participants, including a welcome reception at the Prince's Palace, hosted by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco; a visit to the Musée Océanographique (the acquarium museum built and inaugurated by Prince Albert I on 29th March 1910) to understand the research and efforts by the Principality for care of the world's oceans. Each year, the Oceanographic Institute, Albert I, Prince of Monaco Foundation honours the great names of the marine world who, through their commitment and their work, contribute to making the oceans known and protected.
Symposium co-directors were Dr Lennon - PhD, Emily C. Riley Director, Center for Irish Studies, Villanova University and Susan Kelly vonMedicus, faculty Studio Art under Theater Department and Center for Irish Studies. Dr Joseph Lennon gave a lecture to Friends of the PGIL following the symposium and provided us with insight on the research undertaken and the conclusions from the participants.
Symposium director Dr Lennon - PhD, Emily C. Riley Director, Center for Irish Studies, Villanova University speaks to symposium participants at the Princess Grace Irish Library in Monaco
Symposium participants are welcomed by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco at the palace for a welcome reception before the weekend symposium hosted by the Princess Grace Irish Library, under the aegis of the Fondation Princesse Grace. Also invited to the palace was a delegation from Trinity College Dublin and VIP guests
copyright Michael Alesi Palais princier
Symposium with Villanova University
October 7-8, 2023 in Monaco
Theme: Sustainability in Irish Culture
Scholars, writers, and artists from Ireland and the diaspora to present and discuss priorities and strategies to address sustainability and climate change.
The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will also provide framing goals for our discussions. The symposium will both share strategies and offer critiques of existing policies, ideas, and practices across academic, media, and cultural organizations. The meeting will also involve a discussion of a new national policy framework being planned by the Irish Government’s Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media on “culture, creativity and climate action.” The overall goal of the symposium is to discuss how to encourage a sustainable future through Irish culture.
Symposium participants will submit work in early 2025 for a publication of the symposium’s findings.
Attendees: Nicholas Allen, Nessa Cronin, Anna Davies, Cathy Fitgerald, Annie Fletcher, John Gibbons, Lisa Godson, Jennifer Joyce, Joseph Lennon, Malcolm Sen, Susan vonMedicus and Nathalie Weadick.
Symposium participants worked all weekend, presenting their presentations and paper findings and discussing in groups the elements of the theme. An excusion to the Musée Océanographique (the acquarium museum) gave an understanding of the Principality's research and efforts to protect the world's oceans.
Photo gallery below
