Patrick McDermott

On Tuesday 26 February, students of the MA in International Relations programme met staff of the American embassy in Dublin to view a recording of Colin Powell, the American Secretary of State, on the MTV programme "Be Heard" which was broadcast last week. The students watched Secretary Powell take questions from young people around the world on a variety of issues concerning American foreign policy. After the viewing, DCU students then had the chance to ask their own questions of the embassy officers and entered into a lively debate on issues ranging from the war on terrorism to international AIDS policy to sanctions in Iraq.

While the embassy officers welcomed the opportunity to offer a deeper explanation of America's role in global affairs, the students clearly enjoyed having the opportunity to point out to the delegation some of the areas where they feel US foreign policy falls short. In the end, the class ran well over its allotted 2-hour time slot as conversations were carried into the hall. This was the first event of its kind for an embassy that has only recently emerged from the shadow of the attacks of September 11. The officers stated that the role of the embassy in providing information and assistance for those interested in American foreign policy is a vital one and something they hope to do more of in the future. The International Relations programme regularly welcomes outside speakers on a range of topics and issues and was pleased to offer its students the opportunity to hear from representatives of the US government.

More information can be obtained from the American embassy's website at http://www.usembassy.ie/ and from the International Relations Programme's site at http://www.dcu.ie/business/postgrad/mair.shtml.

For the competition, students working in teams of two to five members, are required to write a proposal for a real business opportunity. The staff of the business school and of DCU's innovation centre, invent, will provide assistance in the preparation of the proposals and students are encouraged to make contact with them.

Patrick McDermott can be contacted at:
Tel: 7008505
Email:patrick.mcdermott@dcu.ie