From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, TD has today announced the location of the first Talent and Innovation Attaché position as the West Coast of the United States.
The Minister made the announcement as part of the US launch of the Government’s International Education and Innovation Strategy Global Citizens 2030 in Washington.
Speaking today, the Minster said:
“The quest for talent and innovation is at the heart of Global Citizens 2030.
“I am really pleased to confirm the decision to announce the first of our planned six Talent and Innovation Attachés will be based in the United States.
“The person will be based in San Francisco – the epicentre of innovation and talent in America and Ireland will now have a person permanently based there, dedicated to promoting Ireland as a destination for education and research.
“I hope it sends a clear message of Ireland’s intention to embed and expand the relationships we have here in America for the benefit of both our great countries, our economies and societies.”
Ireland’s new international Talent and Innovation Strategy, Global Citizens 2030, was launched by the Minister in January, and proposes to develop a physical presence in six priority locations by 2030, in order to increase Ireland’s global ‘Talent and Innovation’ footprint globally as part of the Team Ireland approach.
The new attaché will be responsible for leveraging strategic relationships and partnerships with Irish and international organisations operating on the West Coast of the United States.
The Minister made the announcement at a reception to mark the launch of Global Citizens 2030 in the U.S. hosted by Ireland’s Ambassador, Geraldine Byrne Nason.
Speaking at the announcement Ambassador Byrne Nason said:
"As Ambassador of Ireland to the U.S., I very much look forward to continuing to work to advance Ireland as a “go to” destination for education and research. Having a dedicated attaché for Talent and Innovation in San Francisco will be a tremendous boost in helping to grow our ambition and to deliver benefits for both of our countries."
Global Citizens 2030 is Ireland’s new Talent and Innovation Strategy. It sets out Ireland’s ambitions to embed excellence in talent and innovation into Ireland’s global footprint and is the first international strategy to encompass the breadth of tertiary education, and research and innovation systems.
It builds upon Ireland’s many achievements over the past decade and is intended to confirm Ireland’s place as a first choice destination for international talent and as a thought leader in education, research, innovation and science policy.
The Strategy is composed of six pillars:
Pillar One: Talent and Innovation at the heart of Ireland’s global footprint
Pillar Two: A first choice destination for international learners, researchers and innovators
Pillar Three: Global citizens in multi-national, multi-cultural and diverse workforces
Pillar Four: Enhanced European influence in education and research
Pillar Five: A new era of collaboration on our Shared Island
Pillar Six: Thought leadership in talent, innovation and science policy
These pillars are supported by seven flagship initiatives. The Pillar One goal of embedding Talent and Innovation as part of Ireland’s Global footprint under Team Ireland approach, will be achieved by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science working with the Department of Foreign Affairs, to appoint six Talent and Innovation Attachés in priority locations by 2030.
While both Departments will work across government and with external stakeholders to develop the precise role for the new Attachés, the guiding principle will be coordination and prioritisation of Ireland’s global talent and innovation activities.
The Work Plan of Global Citizens 2023 includes a commitment for the appointment of two Attachés by end Q4 2024.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris T.D., launched the strategy in Dublin on Monday 15 January 2024.