Have we become helpless in the face of change or can we manage the future? More and more people talk about the emptiness of modern life, they wonder where meaning is coming from and what values are shaping us; they say it is not easy being young today in spite of the choices and the freedom. We cannot assume that if we simply sit back and comment the storm will blow over, or that we will return to the old ways. The fact is we are experiencing a cultural transformation, we are witnessing the passing of a tradition, the end of an era. Every day we hear questions like Why aren t they doing something about it? or Who is responsible for this, that or the other? It is time to ask: Have I got any responsibility for the way things are?

Global Aspirations and the Reality of Change is a collection of papers from the 6th Ceifin Conference, which is held annually in Ennis, Co. Clare. The theme of this latest volume is societal change and how people can put more emphasis on action and begin to translate analysis into reality. Contributors conclude that action will take place only when more people participate in society - and are empowered to do so.

What are the values that we choose to prioritise and live by? What price are we prepared to pay for ethics? Is it enough to rely on the law as the minimum standard of acceptable behaviour? Ultimately, can one person make a difference? These and other far-reaching questions are addressed in Values and Ethics, the fifth collection of papers from the Ceifin conference which is held annually in Ennis, Co. Clare. Contributors include sociologist Dr. Tony Fahey, Bishop Willie Walsh and Dr. Lorna Gold from the University of York. There is a belief in Ireland that we have not adjusted to our new-found prosperity. In a society that measures almost everything in monetary terms, values and ethics are increasingly sidelined. We now face the challenge of taking our social growth as seriously as we take our economic growth. This book gives hope that real change can begin with committed individuals who believe passionately that shared values can become a social reality. ABOUT THE EDITORS Fr. Harry Bohan, Chairman of the Ceifin Centre, qualified as Sociologist in the University of Wales and is currently Director of Pastoral Planning in Diocese of Killaloe and Parish Priest in Sixmilebridge, Co Clare. Believing in family and community as the two vital systems in fostering human relationships he founded the Rural Resource Organisation. This organisation was responsible for encouraging communities across Ireland to participate in determining their own future and resulted in the building of 2,500 houses in 120 villages, in 13 counties. In 1998 he founded the Ceifin Centre for Values-Led Change to carry on the conversation on the direction Ireland is taking. The purpose of Ceifin is to reflect, debate and direct values-led change in Irish society. He was appointed to the Task Force on Active Citizenship by an Taoiseach in 2006. Recognised as one of the leading social commentators in Ireland today Fr Bohan has written extensively on the subjects of christianity, spirituality and economic development, the importance of the local responding to the global and on understanding change. His books published include Roots in a changing Society and Community and the Soul of Ireland and he is editor and contributor to all 10 previous books of published papers from Ceifin Conferences. He has broadcast widely on national radio and television. Fr Harry is also well known for his involvement in sport and Clare Hurling in particular. Gerard Kennedy is the co-editor of this book.