Why aren’t we seizing the opportunities offered by our Celtic connections?

In recent weeks, the media has carried glowing – and thoroughly deserved – praise for the 50 performers and representatives from the Isle of Man who attended the Festival Inter-Celtique de Lorient in Brittany earlier this month.

Showcasing the Isle of Man to more than 750,000 visitors over 10 days, the Manx presence at the event was a huge success and puts the Isle of Man on a wider European and global stage.

At the same time as the cultural festival in Lorient, another series of events were taking place. This time with no Isle of Man representation.

The first ‘Celtic Forum’ took place on 3rd August. This gathered together elected representatives of seven countries and territories that share a Celtic heritage.

In attendance were the Irish Ambassador to France; First Minister of Wales; Deputy First Minister of Scotland; President of Brittany’s Regional Council; Leader of Cornwall County Council; plus foreign ministers from the Spanish regions of Galicia and Asturias.

After a lengthy debate to agree areas of mutual interest and further collaboration, participants signed the ‘Rennes Declaration’ – a memorandum of understanding designed to “deepen institutional relations between the Celtic partners and to strengthen their cooperation” across a range of shared and strategically important economic growth areas.

These include: maritime activities; education and training; encouraging mobility; heritage promotion; renewable energy; media, performing arts; languages; relationships between diasporas as well as innovation and research.

In parallel with the political summit, the InterCeltic Business Forum also took place, with entrepreneurs and academics sharing ideas, experiences and opportunities.

Russell Dalgleish, from the Scottish Business Network, gave the keynote speech about leveraging global diasporas to drive innovation (something extremely relevant to the Isle of Man)

More broadly, delegates discussed everything from investment in digital and physical infrastructure; maximising sustainable industries (e.g. wind, tidal, biomass and renewables); maritime industries, such as  fishing, boat-building, aquaculture as well as heritage, tourism and the creative industries.

It’s easy to see that these events offered vital opportunities for the Manx Government, businesses and entrepreneurs, artists, researchers, sustainability start-ups – the list goes on.

Eagle eyed readers, however, will have spotted that neither Manx interests nor representatives were featured in this review.

CR Jérôme Sevrette

Our failure to attend and engage at these events, we believe, is an enormous missed opportunity for business and government to create connections and open up opportunities for trade, investment, innovation and growth.

Being be fair to the Government, there is currently no international relations strategy and it’s focus tends towards political and economic engagement in the North-West of England, London and South Africa.

But the optics of not engaging, as they say in the business world, are not good.

Not being there may be seen as a sign of our disinterest and disinclination to tap into the shared vision and opportunities agreed in the ‘Rennes Declaration’.

Not being there may also signal to neighbouring governments and businesses who believe they can “make inter-Celtic cooperation a driving force for the sustainable development, prosperity and well-being of their citizens,” that we don’t want to be part of that.

At Reayrtys these are the opportunities we want to see the Isle of Man taking.

We believe focusing attention on the entire Irish Sea Space – and beyond – is a vital, strategic action allowing us to unlock the huge potential it holds.

Getting there shouldn’t be difficult either. There is already much shared history, politics, culture and economic relationships; and the Celtic Forum is a ready made space for interaction and organisers are actively seeking our engagement.

As the geopolitical plates continue to shift post-Brexit, keeping an eye on – and extending a friendly hand to – our North, South, West and East is something the Isle of Man should not be reluctant to do.

As a final word, let’s return to Grainney Sheard, co-delegate for the Manx contingent at the Festival Inter-Celtique de Lorient.

She told Manx media: “The Isle of Man more than pulls it weight … despite being the smallest nation both geographically and in population.”

We need to see the Isle of Man Government, Chamber of Commerce and other relevant organisations to recognise our small status doesn’t mean small ambition.

*Gef has heard that an invite was sent to the island, however nobody at the gov could find one to confirm this.