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H.E. Mr. Leo Varadkar, Minister for Health speaking during the Conference.
H.E. Mr. Leo Varadkar, Minister for Health speaking during the Conference.

‘The first IIBA Conference India:Ireland ‘Culture, Diversity and Women in Business Conference’ reviewed historical and current bilateral Ties Between Ireland and India

-IIBA (Ireland India Business Association) Conference, September 24th, Smurfit School of Business-

24th September 2015, The first Ireland India Business Association (IIBA) conference ‘Culture, Diversity and Women in Business’, took place on September 24th in UCD, Smurfit School of Business. Following the auspicious visit of Honourable Prime Minister Modi to Ireland on the previous day, spirits were high regarding bilateral links and last minute bookings took the Conference numbers to over 100 attendees. The conference examined how the creation and maintenance of balance in culture, diversity and gender is smart business economics that helps to increase company profits and encourages innovation and problem solving in bilateral trade.

Conference speakers included Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, HE Mrs Radhika Lal Lokesh, Ambassador for India to Ireland, Bibi Baskin, broadcaster RTE and BBC, Sheetal Mehta Walsh, Founder and President of Shanti Life, Maeve Collins Department of Foreign Affairs, .Andrew Kavanagh, Kavaleer Productions, Paul Rowe, Educate together, Alice Tolan Eircom, Fiana Griffin cultural expert and Nilakanthi Ford, Chairman IIBA.

The speakers focussed on the bigger India-Ireland picture and delved into the history and richness of bilateral links between India and Ireland, as well as looking forward to the future of bilateral business relationships following the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Ireland since 1956..

The IIBA conference was to commemorate the centenary of the first journey of Irishwoman Margaret Cousins to India. She was subsequently to become the first female District Judge in India, went on to found the Indian All Women’s Conference and is attributed to have composed the tune of the Indian National Anthem.which is still used today. Her history underpins the long history of engagement between India and Ireland.

H.E. Mr. Leo Varadkar, Minister for Health speaking during the Conference.

H.E. Mrs. Radhika Lal Lokesh, Ambassador, Embassy of India in Ireland addressing the Conference.
H.E. Mrs. Radhika Lal Lokesh, Ambassador, Embassy of India in Ireland addressing the Conference.
Ms.  Bibi Baskin, Broadcaster RTE and BBC speaking in the Conference
Ms.  Bibi Baskin, Broadcaster RTE and BBC speaking in the Conference
Ms. NilaKanthi Ford, Chairperson, IIBA, making her remarks during the Conference
Ms. NilaKanthi Ford, Chairperson, IIBA, making her remarks during the Conference
In the picture are (left to right) H. E. Mrs. Radhika Lokesh, Ambassador, Prof. Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, Dean, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, Ms. NilaKanthi Ford, Chairperson, IIBA and Ms. Maeve Collins, Regional Director, Asia Pacific Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
In the picture are (left to right) H. E. Mrs. Radhika Lokesh, Ambassador, Prof. Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, Dean, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, Ms. NilaKanthi Ford, Chairperson, IIBA and Ms. Maeve Collins, Regional Director, Asia Pacific Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
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