I am excited to announce a special NDN luncheon next week - a conversation about the future of Europe with Declan Ganley, a leader of the Irish "No" campaign on the European Union's Lisbon Treaty. This is the latest in our series of events that seek to understand global challenges and how they pertain to us.
Space is limited for this event, and will be first come, first serve. We will hear from Mr. Ganley next Thursday, July 17, at 12 p.m. at the NDN office, 729 15th St., NW, 1st Floor. Following his remarks, Mr. Ganley will take questions. To RSVP, please click here. More on Declan and his efforts to reshape European politics is below.
Sorry for the late notice, but this is an excellent opportunity to meet a dynamic man who is playing a very significant role in shaping the future of Europe. I hope you will attend.
About Declan Ganley:
Declan Ganley is the founder and leader of the Libertas Institute and led Ireland’s “No” campaign on the European Union’s Lisbon Treaty.
The Libertas Institute’s mission is to provoke enlightened discussion on the European Union, its relevance to member states, and its role in World affairs. It is committed to making Brussels more democratic and accountable for the decisions it takes.
After seeing the final draft of the Lisbon Treaty in 2007, Libertas decided to oppose it on the position that it would weaken Ireland’s position in Europe, and do nothing to address democracy and unaccountability in Brussels. Prior to Ireland’s vote European newspapers wrote that if it failed there would “only be one name on the lips of defeated eurocrats: Declan Ganley.”
The Lisbon Treaty was largely a rehash of the failed EU Constitution that was roundly rejected in 2005. Ireland was the only country in the EU to allow its citizens to vote on the treaty. If it had passed it would have spelled the end of the nation-state in Europe and would have put major power in the hands of unelected bureaucrats.
Following Libertas’s vigorous campaign to vote “No”, 53 percent of Irish voters rejected the treaty. The Wall Street Journal praised the “No” vote for upholding democracy and “stopping a power play by the Continent’s political elites.”
Mr. Ganley is a successful and self-made telecommunications entrepreneur. He is married and has four children.
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