Foresight Business Group Event
Posted on: 17 January 2006
On January 17th, 2006, the Foresight Business Group hosted the first of a new event for the Group, "An Audience With…" in the EdmundBurkeTheatre of the College.
The purpose of the event was to bring together a panel of well-known and respected leaders from a variety of disciplines to discuss and debate the concept of leadership. Joining the discussion were Senator Shane Ross; Ms. Mary Davis, Director, Special Olympics Ireland; Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin and Mr. George Hook, rugby commentator, broadcaster and television personality. Senator David Norris chaired the debate. Each panellist delivered equally inspirational speeches on their experiences of leadership in their respective fields.
Senator Norris spoke of the challenges of leadership in an increasingly globalised world, "…In a world that is increasingly confirming its status as a global village it is very important that we also consider the question of global ethics especially as it concerns business, industry and finance". Mary Davis added "…Great leadership is about involving other people. It's about building trust and respect and making things happen by one's approach and style."
Foresight Chairman, Paul Gray, introduced proceedings for the evening, "…This evening's event is about bringing together education, business and the concept of leadership to a unique forum for discussion. The great John F Kennedy once said "Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other". Now in its 34th year, the Foresight Business Group was founded on this very premise, but what makes a truly great leader? If your actions can inspire others to dream more, to learn more, to do and become more, are you a good leader? What makes good leadership great?".
A lively question and answers session followed the speeches where an enthusiastic audience, chaired by the enigmatic Senator Norris, brought forward further issues for discussion. A reception was later held in the Atrium of the College.
Established in 1972, the Foresight Business Group is a unique student body in TrinityCollege. Driven by the idea to provide a "forum for interaction" between leading individuals of the Irish business community and the business students of TrinityCollege, its founders famously pioneered the concept of a business breakfast in Ireland.
Through attracting a diverse range of guest speakers of the highest calibre to attend its events, students are given an unrivalled opportunity to meet and interact with senior business people and in the process, gain an invaluable insight into a particular organisation or industry.
Over three decades later, the business breakfasts remain to the fore of Foresight's interactive events and have become widely-celebrated. The breakfasts are now joined by a series of seminars and workshops which offer students the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to enter the business realm with confidence.
The Foresight Business Group is run in association with PricewaterhouseCoopers and with the support of the School of Business Studies at TrinityCollege.