During the Academic Year, 2008/2009, the Undergraduate Awards of Ireland ran two Think-Ins.

The first Think-In was held on December 15th, 2008, in No. 8 St. Stephen’s Green, a venue kindly provided by Mr. Hugh O’Regan. Fifty students were nominated by their Universities to attend the Think-In. The focus and title of the day was ‘Where Next for Ireland?’. Throughout the day, students and guest speakers addressed a wide range of issues in an open and engaging forum. Guest speakers included the US Senator Chris Dodd, who is the Chairman of the US Senate Banking Committee, our own Minister Eamon Ryan, journalists Fintan O’Toole, John Waters and Marc Coleman, politicians David Norris and Richard Bruton, along with many others. The day was streamed live online by RTE and special thanks should go to Joe Zefran, Tadgh Peavoy and Gavin Moloney.

The second Think-In was held in Google in Dublin. Fifty students were nominated by their Universities to attend the Think-In. The focus and title of the day was Digital Democracy. Throughout the day, students and guest speakers addressed a wide range of issues in an open and engaging forum. Guest speakers included Hans Reimer, former National Youth Coordinator for the Obama Campaign, our own Chris Horn, and blogger Suzy Byrne.

Future Think Ins are planned over the coming years. Please feel free to suggest a topic or speakers by finding us on Twitter and sending us a Tweet. http://www.twitter.com/undergradawards