Ireland: A Country of Deep-Rooted Connections - How we can work together to maintain our position as a ‘civic-minded society’ in the midst of a challenging global environment

Over the past month, I have had the privilege of attending a number of in-person gatherings that left me feeling optimistic for Ireland’s future. There’s no question that we are operating in a world marked by geopolitical uncertainty, growing social fragmentation and the accelerating impact of technology, particularly AI, which is reshaping how we work, connect and communicate with each other. However, despite all this, these events left me with a strong sense of hope for Ireland and what one small country can achieve when we come together.  

These events were all very different in nature. The Ireland Funds celebrated 50 years of philanthropic impact in Dublin; a two-day EUConsult study visit in Brussels focused on what is at stake for civil society; TASC’s annual Friends and Supporters dinner considered the role of evidence-based research in addressing key societal challenges; and an uplifting evening at the British Embassy residence reflected on cultural and civic connections between Ireland and the UK. 

What I was struck by at each of these occasions was how we showcase Ireland and its people at our very best - open, warm, curious, connected, and instinctively comfortable in conversations - listening to each other and learning how to shape a positive future together. In a world increasingly shaped by technology, we can sometimes overlook the power of personal connection and open conversations - happening in real rather than digital rooms! 

What stood out most was the quality of the conversations that emerged - AI couldn’t have generated those conversations, replicated the trust built in the informal moments before or after formal sessions, or recreated the energy of people working together, to make sense of complex challenges we face today. This month really reminded me that while technology can support us in many ways, it cannot replace authentic human connection.

At OKC, we often say that friend-raising comes before fundraising. It's a simple idea, but one that feels increasingly relevant. Before people invest in a cause, they need to understand the cause, build mutual respect, trust and meaningful relationships. For this to happen, people need opportunities to come together, exchange ideas and understand one another's perspectives. That philosophy was visible at every event I attended over the past month.

What also struck me was how naturally this way of working sits within Ireland’s civic identity. We often hear people comment that although Ireland is a relatively small country in terms of our size, we have an extraordinary ability to punch above our weight - it’s the ‘small but mighty’ adage - and I think a lot of this is down to how we connect. We don’t need to be the biggest or loudest voice, we need to talk to each other and be collaborative. There is a warmth in how we engage, a generosity in how we listen and a cultural instinct to bring people of differing views together rather than keep them apart. Our culture has always placed enormous value on conversation, storytelling, creativity and connection. These qualities continue to shape how Ireland is viewed around the world and create some of our greatest competitive advantages.

When government, business, philanthropy and civil society come together with a shared purpose, extraordinary things become possible. That is something Ireland does exceptionally well.

We are already seeing this reflected in Ireland’s evolving civic infrastructure. The implementation of the National Philanthropy Policy, alongside the work of organisations such as Philanthropy Ireland, Community Foundation Ireland, Rethink Ireland, The Ireland Funds, corporate foundations, socially-conscious business leaders and family philanthropies, reflects a growing commitment to collaboration and shared purpose across the ecosystem.

Of course, none of these organisations can solve our challenges alone - our future depends on continued collaboration and partnership. We are a society that values connection as much as competition, that sees culture as something that binds us, and that understands the importance of bringing different sectors and diverse voices and perspectives into the same room to work through shared challenges.

In a world that can feel increasingly divided, Ireland can be a small but important beacon of hope - a reminder of what collaborative impact can achieve when it is grounded in trust, relationships and shared humanity. 

Anthropologist Margaret Mead famously wrote: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - so let Ireland and its people be that group!

This quote feels particularly relevant to me, because over the past month I have met so many of those thoughtful, committed people - all working, in different ways, towards the same goal: building a better Ireland. An Ireland that is the best place to live, to work, to innovate, to create, to be well, and indeed, to be cared for when we are not.

At OKC, this is why we do what we do. We are passionate about connecting great people to great causes to enable great impact. Every day, we have the privilege of bringing together individuals and organisations who care about people and our society. And in a world increasingly shaped by technology, we are more convinced than ever that the most meaningful change still happens between people - in conversation and in shared purpose.

Technology will continue to evolve, and we should embrace the opportunities it presents. But I hope Ireland never loses what has always made it so special - our warmth, our generosity, our culture, our curiosity, our willingness to welcome others and our instinct to come together.

If we can hold on to those qualities while continuing to innovate, collaborate and look outward, I firmly believe that Ireland can continue to lead by example and offer something the world needs now more than ever. And in doing so, continue to be, in every sense that matters, small but mighty!