Up to fourteen individuals (from Ireland and from Northern Ireland) including key stakeholders from local government and public policy agencies will be selected to examine best practice models in effective municipal governance. They will meet relevant American experts in fiscal management, urban regeneration, public-private partnerships, e-government, ethics, change management (innovation), and promoting community engagement. The programme is sponsored by the Irish Institute at the Centre for Irish Programmes, Boston College, and the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Programme-related costs including travel, accommodation, tuition, and the majority of meals are provided. The programme is not open to U.S. citizens, Green Card holders, or past participants of U.S. Government-funded Irish Institute programmes. Short-listed applicants must be available for interview either 30th November in Belfast or 3rd December in Dublin. Please note that the programme is by necessity highly selective, and that consequently, not all applicants will be interviewed and not all interviewees will be invited to participate.
To apply: Please click here for an application form. The completed form, in addition to a letter of interest, must be returned by email to Ms. Thea Gilien at gilien@bc.edu before 5 p.m. GMT on Friday, 20th November, 2009. The letter of interest should include: reason for application, your ability to contribute to the programme, and potential for sharing your experience upon your return home. For further information, please telephone Ms. Thea Gilien (Dublin) at (353) 1 614 7450.
