Virtual Island Summit: Ireland to connect with 10,000 islanders worldwide

Island communities will be able to connect with an estimated 10,000 islanders around the globe, in the second ‘Virtual Island Summit, September 7-13.

The Virtual Island Summit seeks to build digital bridges between island communities around the world, explained its founder and Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur, James Ellsmoor.

“Islands often face similar challenges to one another but are forced to tackle them separately due to barriers created by distance, language and culture.”

The virtual summit is only possible due to the hard work and dedication of 140 ambassadors who provide a “unique perspective into their communities”.

Ambassadors

Ireland is represented by Dr Nóirín Burke, Director of Education at the National Aquarium of Ireland and a team member of the Irish Ocean Literacy Network, and Trish Hegarty, Director of Inis Communications.

With over a dozen populated offshore islands, Ireland needs to “constantly act positively and innovatively to limit the effects of this peripherality”, remarked Trish Hegarty.

“I want to help people connect with other islands and to share best practice for Ireland…Preserving island heritages and lifestyles while staying connected globally can be shared aims which the summit helps us to promote.”

As someone who grew up on an island, but wasn’t aware of the significance until “much older”, Nóirín Burke is now “fascinated to learn how we can connect with islanders all over the world, celebrate our island connections and work together to create sustainable islands for the future”.

Island ambassadors worldwide range from Ireland to Sweden, Fiji, Jamaica, Hawai’i and Chile. They will partner with politicians, entrepreneurs, innovators, activists and community leaders to exchange expertise and to collaborate.