Mr Joe Costello T.D., Ireland’s Minister for Trade and Development, outlines the value the Government places on Irish Aid Fellowships, the goals of Ireland’s Africa Strategy and the particular importance of the connections fostered by alumni networks.

Thank you for affording me the opportunity to contribute to this issue of the Irish Aid Fellowship Alumni Newsletter. The Fellowship Training Programme has been a key component of Irish Aid’s support for capacity building since it began back in 1974. In recent years we have taken steps to ensure that the programme is even more closely tied to the poverty reduction priorities and strategies of our partner countries. I am keen that this programme will also facilitate a strong personal and professional alumni network that endures beyond the period of study.

In April, this year I was delighted to be able to attend the annual seminar for fellows currently studying under the Fellowship Training Programme, which was held in Irish Aid’s offices in Limerick. The event was a wonderful opportunity for me personally to meet with fellows and hear about their experiences of studying in Ireland, which were all very positive. It was particularly interesting to listen to the variety of perspectives on development issues, expressed by fellows from different countries. I was struck by the high level of enthusiasm and commitment of fellows to development in their own countries. The contribution made by fellows throughout the day and their active engagement were key to making the event a great success.

One of the areas I spoke about during the seminar was the Africa Strategy, which was launched in September 2011. The Africa Strategy recognises Ireland’s changing relationship with Africa and provides the framework to deepen our engagement at all levels with the continent. The Strategy acknowledges that, as Africa develops and changes, Ireland needs to realise a maturing of its relations with Africa and with individual African countries. The Strategy provides a framework for a coherent approach to our political, development, and business relations with African countries. It recognises the fact that the leaders of many African countries and businesses are keen to foster opportunities for expanded trade and investment ties, and to move towards a situation where Africa reduces its dependency on aid. As members of the Irish Aid fellowship alumni you are ideally placed to help us realise our vision as set out in the Africa Strategy. I am confident that through the alumni we will continue to build mutually beneficial relationships that will lead to the building of capacity for positive and sustainable development.

I want to acknowledge the establishment of the Vietnam Ireland Alumni Network and in particular the role of Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai as the alumni chapter’s Honorary President. Irish Embassies abroad are committed to supporting country networks, such as this one in Vietnam, in any way they can and I would encourage you to use the opportunity of the alumni to continue your engagement with the Irish Aid programme and indeed more generally with Ireland. It is clear to me that Ireland’s Fellowship Training Programme is making a significant contribution to how we support our partner organisations at country level through increasing the specialist knowledge available to them.

I have no doubt that fellows of 2011/ 2012 will, like those before, make a valuable contribution to the economic growth and wellbeing of their societies. I hope that every fellow will benefit greatly, both professionally and personally, from your studies and that it will build a bond with Ireland and the Irish Aid Programme that lasts a lifetime.