| Global Security Conference in Waterford, Ireland, 11-13 July 2010 |
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A two-day conference entitled The Dungarvan Conference 2010: Global Intelligence Forum was held on 11-13th July 2010 in Waterford, Ireland. It was organised by the Mercyhurst College Institute for Intelligence Studies (MCIIS) in Erie, Pennsylvania, US. The conference attracted over 150 delegates from 15 countries to discuss "best practices in intelligence analysis". Delegates included representatives from the intelligence and security services communities in Sweden, Czech Republic, Romania, the US, the UK, Canada, and Belgium. Irish delegates included representatives from the INCO-Trust coordinator, Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT-TSSG), An Garda Síochána, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, the Revenue Commissioners, DCU and the Department of Justice. The conference keynote speakers included former US secretary for homeland security Tom Ridge, who said Mercyhurst was "a model for intelligence education" and hopes to develop a centre in Dungarvan, Waterford. Mr Ridge, the main security adviser to former president George W Bush following the 9/11 attacks, said the world was now a safer place following improved intelligence gathering and the sharing of information between the United States and its allies. It was reported in the final session that the Institute for Intelligence Studies at Mercyhurst, in the Pennsylvanian city of Erie, is understood to be in advanced talks with Waterford Institute of Technology and the local authorities regarding the establishment of a local centre and the continuation of this prestigious event on an annual basis. Additional information and analysis of the conference can be found on the Trust and Security blog of WIT-TSSG. |
