Institute

Mercyhurst College successfully hosted its second Global Intelligence Forum: The Dungarvan Conference under the theme of “Intelligence and the Decision Maker” last week in Dungarvan.

The forum welcomed visitors from 12 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Canada, Trinidad, Holland and Spain.

Attendees heard internationally recognized keynote speakers, including former CIA Director Michael V. Hayden and former Under Secretary of Homeland Security Charles Allen, both of whom spoke candidly about their experiences in gathering intelligence and in counterterrorism, including conversations about the interrogation center at Abu Ghraib and the death of Osama bin Laden.

The forum also addressed intelligence used by the Government of Ireland. Kathleen O’Toole spoke of her experience as head of the Garda Inspectorate. Sean Aylward, the outgoing Secretary General of the Department of Justice and Equality, addressed the use of intelligence by a succession of Irish governments, including his personal experience with the government’s response to the assassination of Earl Mountbatten.

Irishman Steve Myers, director of Accelerators and Technology at the European Organization for Nuclear Research,CERN, based in Switzerland, spoke about how the application of technology has far-reaching implications for our understanding of the universe. And Julian King, the British Ambassador to Ireland, explained in detail the planning involved in Queen Elizabeth's historic visit to Ireland last May.

Speaking at the welcome reception, the president of Mercyhurst College, Dr. Tom Gamble, thanked the town of Dungarvan for hosting the event and reiterated the college’s commitment to continue to seek opportunities for strengthening its links with the town.

Dungarvan County Manager Ray O’Dwyer spoke of the importance of thinking globally, stating that economic growth is dependent on international trends in tourism, commerce and more, all of which directly affect businesses in County Waterford.