Join the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies for a talk by Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, the newly arrived Ambassador of Ireland to the United States. Ambassador Byrne Nason will give an insider's look on the role she has helped to shape for Ireland on the world stage during her previous position as Ireland's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and how she envisions the country's future diplomatic role.
When Ireland ran for a two-year term on the United Nations' Security Council for 2021-2022, Ambassador Byrne Nason's message was that Ireland has kept faith with the United Nations since the country joined the organization in 1955 as a young republic. At that time, Ireland saw being a member of the UN as fundamental to its future and to peace and security. Through its mission, Ireland built a reputation over the years for its contributions to peacekeeping, disarmament, human rights, development, and gender equality. Its campaign for a seat on the United Nations' Security Council in 2000 focused on the future of the world peacekeeping organization and the role Ireland could play in reducing suffering across the globe while securing a shared peace, security, and prosperity.
Ambassador Byrne Nason began her appointment at the United Nations in August 2017. Previously, she was Ireland’s Ambassador to France and Monaco, as well as Second Secretary-General in the Department of the Taoiseach from 2011 to 2014, with responsibility for European Union affairs and the Economic Management Council.
A career diplomat, Ambassador Byrne Nason served as Deputy Permanent Representative to the European Union from 2008 to 2011. Among other roles, she headed Ireland’s Nations' Forum on Europe from 2004 to 2005. She was Director for Governance at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris during the 1990s, having begun her government service in 1981.
This is Ambassador Byrne Nason's second visit to Notre Dame.
Originally published at irishstudies.nd.edu.