Dublin venue for IFJ world congress

DUBLIN has been chosen to host the World Congress of the International Federation of Journalists in 2013. The conference will take place in Dublin Castle from June 4-7 and will be hosted by the National Union of Journalists.

A delegation from the International Federation of Journalists visited Dublin today and met with representatives of the union, led by Barry McCall Vice President, Gerry Curran, Cathaoirleach, Irish Executive Council and Séamus Dooley, Irish Secretary.

Jim Boumelha, President, International Federation of Journalists, accompanied by Beth Costa, General Secretary and Stephen Pearse, Deputy General Secretary visited Dublin Castle, Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse, the Mansion House and the Veronica Guerin Garden and made a courtesy call on David Begg, General Secretary, Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

Séamus Dooley, Irish Secretary, thanked Mr Begg for the strong support of Congress for the Irish bid, which was strongly supported by Fáilte Ireland through the Dublin Convention Bureau. Mr Dooley said; “We are pleased that the NUJ has secured such a prestigious event in Dublin, a conference of international significance which will bring up to 300 delegates and observers to Dublin. In bidding to host the congress we placed strong emphasis on the use of trade unionised hotels through the Fair Hotels initiative and the Congress will place strong focus on employment rights as a human right.”

Michelle Stanistreet, General Secretary, NUJ said the union was pleased to have secured the bid to host World Congress: “The NUJ is looking forward to hosting the IFJ World Congress in Dublin. This event will be a showcase for the union and for Ireland. At a time of great challenge the international trade union movement will draw inspiration from the centenary of the 1913 Lockout in 2013. Dublin is an ideal venue and we are confident that World Congress 2013 will be a conference to remember.”