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'Your Country, Your Call' competition looks for winning ideas to kick-start Irish economy

By
AMY FERAN,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Published Friday, March 26, 2010, 1:55 AM
Updated Friday, March 26, 2010, 7:56 AM

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Your country, your call, Mary McAleese is heading an initiative to discover economic ideas that will lift the Irish economy


Irish President Mary McAleese has taken a leaf out of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign book by encouraging and empowering the Irish people to be the ones that make a change in their country.

Now Irish Americans are also being asked to contribute ideas to the "your country your call effort," and come up with the best ideas to kick start the Irish economy.  The two winning entries will win close to $150,000 dollars each.

"The goal is to pick two truly transformational proposals so big that, when implemented, could secure prosperity and jobs for Ireland. Proposals that could help change the way we do things, allow businesses to grow, employment to be created and prosperity to flourish,” the website explains.

Two winning ideas and their creators will win $150,000 each, and the campaign is offering a development of up to $850,000 to implement the proposals. The competition is open to people from every walk of Irish life.

The brainchild of the President’s husband, Dr. Martin McAleese, the campaign encourages a sense of community and echoes of “Yes We Can”.

At a time when unemployment is high and Government support is low, this fresh new project may be just what the country needs.

"We are looking for Irish American input as well,” Martin McAleese told IrishCentral.com. “We know there is a deep affection for Ireland among Irish Americans and we look forward too their ideas and suggestions."

There are eight categories in which to submit ideas.

They are: Communications & Technology, Design, Engineering And Manufacturing, Education & The Arts, Energy & The Environment, Food & Agriculture, Health, Sport & Nutrition, and Professional Services. There is also an ‘Other’ category, leaving an extremely wide ambit for the ideas.

President McAleese appears in a video on the website, and speaks of the past, present, and future of Ireland. Our strength, she explains, is in working together.

“It’s time to shake off the doldrums and get back on our feet,” she says.“We have the will”.

Now they just need to find the best way.

For more information click here
 

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6 Comments

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GeorgeDillon | Oct 06, 2010, 03:03 AM EDT
This competition turned out to be a farce and a grotesque waste of time & money. I'm not surprised--it was "inspired" by the Queen of Blather, Mary McAleese.

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cormac12345 | Jun 19, 2010, 03:33 PM EDT
Hello all , I am not that well up on politics and my point of view is not by any means unique. But I think that people who set up their own business and employ others and follow their talents should be allowed social welfare. If we help these brave and skilled people get back on their feet again then they will help everyone else . It seems that if one has no ambition and takes and takes from the state then they are well looked after , but if you contribute and employ others and fall on hard times then you are left to rot. Basically give entrepreneurs social welfare and the rest should follow . ( Its terrifying listening to joe Duffy these days )

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RoryJLeonard | Apr 01, 2010, 07:23 AM EDT
I have a proposal in YourCountryYourCall - ref 2767. That proposal is for the establishment of a new bank with a strong Irish Brand. The plan is to seek 2010 euro each from millions of investors in Ireland, and from investors around the world, with Irish connections. 70% of the 2,010 euro is locked away on deposit for ten years earning 2% interest per annum, with the remaining 30% used to acquire ordinary stock / shares in the new company. This people-led banking entity, will be based in rural Ireland, and all business will be conducted via the internet. Investors will only realise their investment after 10 years, via an IPO or perhaps a Trade Sale. This idea is just for the YCYC initiative, and many aspects of the plan have to be firmed up on, regarding Management, Business model to be adopted, etc etc. The level of investment sought is pitched at a level for people to think - "it's a small sum of investment and it can asssit Ireland in rebuilding its capital base and economy, and I am happy to invest 2,010 euro in this venture as part of my diversified geographical and sectoral investment portfolio" If you would like to give me a vote, search for number 2767. Best Wishes Rory J Leonard

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tinabon | Mar 29, 2010, 12:44 AM EDT
INTERESTING CONCEPT, i COULD THINK ANY MANY WAYS TO HELP THE IRISH, HELP THEMSELVES...

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ChrisButler9999 | Mar 26, 2010, 12:20 PM EDT
I think the Irish people have given enough to pretentious American Corporations which goes a long way to explain why their is no money left in Ireland. It might be an idea for the Irish President to look at why successive so called Irish Governments have been stealing from Social Welfare Recipients for over a decade and sort out Ireland first.

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Chieftain | Mar 26, 2010, 08:46 AM EDT
I will be submitting my ideas soon

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