Organised by our good selves and Dublin City Council, 4 groups took to the stage to give talks and present the participants with a Burning Question for them to answer. The event was very kindly and excellently chaired by Mr. Noel Casserly from Comhar Sustainable Development Council with Michael Stubbs of Dublin City Council providing a very informative keynote to kickstart the event.

Presenting each question was Mark Bennett from Dublin City Council, a team of Masters students from the College of Europe in Brussels working on a report on how to promote green business in Dublin and two Innovation Studios members. I spoke about the core concept of Innovation Studios from a workspace point of view followed by David and Erik who presented our new concept in learning called “Integral Learning”.

The event took the form of a World Café, where after each talk we presented a Burning Question for particpants to chew over amongst roundtables of 6 people and write down their ideas collaboratively. At the end of each talk/question the participants moved to a different table so as to mix with other people and share ideas. We’ve posted slideshows below to show the contributions made by each table.

All in all, the day was a fantastic success with many people enjoying the World Café format which afforded them the opportunity to mix with peers they wouldn’t normally have the chance to. From our point of view, much of our reasons for the importance of Innovation Studios was reinforced with many people innately understanding the need for a grass roots driven enterprise space with open membership to support our country’s micro enterprises. We also had the opportunity to pitch our relavance to those who didn’t understand / appreciate the need for micro enterprise supports and their input gave us a much stronger ability to demonstrate the importance of an Innovation Studios Space.

Here are the transcripts of the sheets… DCC Hub CoE Workshop Transcripts
Here are the slideshows of participant’s contributions from the day, broken down by each Burning Question.

1. What must we do to ensure Dublin realises the potential of the Green Economy by 2010?

Mark Bennett (Dublin City Council)

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2. Could a Green Hub add Value in Dublin? Would a Green hub Work in Dublin?

College of Europe

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3. How do we Utilise the Nation’s/Region’s Strengths? We want your help – How can we help you?

Patrick O’Connor (Innovation Studios)

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4. How Can We Kickstart Green Business Through Innovation Studios?

David Johnson & Erik van Lennep (Innovation Studios)

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Photos taken during the afternoon.

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EU Employment and Social Affairs Ministers today agreed on a new facility to provide loans to people who have lost their jobs and want to start or further develop their own small business . The European Microfinance Facility will have a starting budget … Read more at EUROPA – Press Releases »

Let Youth Point Us in the Right Direction

As decisions are taken on how to address Youth Employment in Ireland and Europe, Young People want to be part of the solution not the problem. The National Youth Council of Ireland in Partnership with the Youth Affairs Unit of OMCYA are hosting a consultation with young people on Youth Employment and Social Inclusion in preparation for the European Conference on the issue.

Where: The Irish Aid Centre O’Connell Street, Dublin.

When: Saturday 27^th March 2010. 10.30-3.30

Who: Young people and Youth Workers over 18yrs.  We especially want to hear the experience of young people finding it difficult to access employment.

Cost: Free.  Travel expenses (public transport only) will be reimbursed and lunch will be provided.

Application Process: Booking Required, before Friday 19^th March. Application Forms available at international@nyci.ie

The results of this event will become part of the dialogue between young people and policy makers at a National and European level.  Participants from this consultation will represent Ireland at the EU Presidency Youth Conference in Spain on Youth Employment.

European Conference on Youth Employment  in Spain in 12^th-16^th April: Contact international@nyci.ie with an expression of interest.

For more information please see www.international.youth.ie or contact international@nyci.ie / Tel: 01 4255945

Jean-Marie Cullen

International Officer,

National Youth Council of Ireland,

3 Montague St,

Dublin 2.

Tel Direct: 01 4255945

Tel Org: 01 4784122

Email: international@nyci.ie

Wesite: www.international.youth.ie