The ENAM Conferences are hosted by member associations and they cultivate the next generation of leaders in the European U.S. Alumni community by showcasing new perspectives on the U.S.-European relationship and celebrating the achievements of the U.S. exchange alumni community in Europe. The ENAM General Assembly also takes place during conferences allowing members to decide on future activities and vote in upcoming elections.
The Ireland-United States Alumni Association (IUSA) hosted the ENAM Conference on 26th-27th January 2023. Over 40 alumni from over 11 countries attended ENAM Dublin 2023. The theme of the conference was ‘Our Energy Future in a World of Disinformation’ and it was officially opened by U.S. State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary Nicole Elkon.
The first day took place in the Westbury Hotel and featured four distinguished speakers discussing energy security and the threat of disinformation:
- Shona Murray, Euronews
- Tonia Arahova, ENAM Secretary General
- Don Moore, Irish Academy of Engineering
- Rory Harte, European Movement Ireland
Later that day the ENAM General Assembly took place with the election of the new ENAM Board of Directors:
- Massimo Cugusi (Italy)
- György Kovács (Hungary)
- Lothar Hofmann (Austria)
- Vincent Mc Carthy (Ireland)
- Jörg Hafer (Germany)
- Verica Jordanova (Macedonia)
- Gunel Yusiflihasanova (Azerbaijan)
- Vicente López-Ibor Mayor (Spain)
- Ivana Bilic (Croatia)
- Tereza Engelova (Czech Republic)
Outgoing Secretary General Tonia Arahova and the previous Board of Directors were thanked for their support of the European alumni community.
Later that evening, the IUSA showcased their annual gala dinner and alumni awards which included, networking and a panel discussion on the overall theme for the conference, with special keynote guest US Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin.
On the second day the venue switched to Trinity College Dublin (TCD), with a workshop on the future of ENAM and valuable insights and contributions from all attendees on the need to build the systems and structures to ensure continued growth and engagement with alumni across Europe.
The conference concluded with a tour of the TCD Long Room and Library and a farewell dinner. ENAM Dublin 2023 has given the platform to catapult ENAM to it’s next stage of development and the ENAM Board of Directors thank IUSA, US Embassy Dublin and especially IUSA President Chris Gordon and IUSA Vice-President Julia Carmichael for their support and inspiration.
For more photos visit the IUSA Facebook page and check out the video from the event below: