Filling the Vacuum?

The Ceifin Centre for Values-Led Change is about holding a mirror up to the reality of modern society. Based in Shannon, it has been doing this in different ways since its foundation in 1998. One of these ways is through its annual conference, which now attracts over 500 people from a cross-section of Irish society and is the focus of widespread media coverage. Despite our increasing prosperity, there is a growing sense of isolation and disconnectedness in Irish society. For that reason the theme "Filling the vacuum?" was chosen for Conference 2005. What interventions are needed to establish and promote a strong sense of belonging within our society? This was a particularly successful conference, very well attended, with excellent presentations and lively feedback from the floor. These presentations are now contained in this publication and make compelling reading for those of us working towards a better society.