Offaly man elected to top job in Brussels

The CEO of Irish Rural Link, Seamus Boland, has been elected as President of a prestigious European organisation, which is based in Brussels.

Picture: Irish Rural Link CEO, Seamus Boland

The Ballycumber native has been named as President-elect of the prestigious Diversity Group Europe, which represents Civic Society on the European Economic Social Committee (EESC).

Having been based at the headquarters of Irish Rural Link in Moate for the past number of years, Mr. Boland will now preside over Diversity Group Europe, and is the first Irish person to be elected to this position since the foundation of the group in 1956 under the terms of the Rome Treaty.

Diversity Group Europe is made up of delegates drawn from each EU member state, representing sectors which include, community, agriculture, environment, consumers, social economy and various professions.

Seamus Boland was elected to his new role as President of the Group during a virtual inauguration ceremony earlier this week, and will hold the position until 2023. He has been a member of the European Economic Social Committee since October 2011 and served as Vice-President of the Diversity Group prior to his election as President.

Poverty and the role of civil society organisations in combating it will be the primary focus of Seamus Boland’s term as President. Among his other priorities during his tree-year term of office will be: the impact of Covid-19 on society; the implementation of the European ‘Green Deal’ with all stakeholders, based on the Sustainable Development Goal of ending poverty in all its forms everywhere, and the promotion of the Group’s work to other institutions and the wider public more efficiently and effectively.