The former SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, and the writer, Mr Charles Handy, will be the main speakers at a conference in Ennis next week on the theme of the emptiness of modern life.
The conference is being organised by the sociologist Father Harry Bohan who hopes, in the new year, to begin the building of a £20 million institute in Shannon dedicated to "values-led change".
"Just as we required new institutes and universities for technological development, we now require an institute to address the real problems facing Ireland today, in ways that will redress the balance.
"What we are basically saying is that a lot of people in this new Ireland do not formally belong to any community, and life without commitment can mean life without responsibility to others or for others."
The three-day conference, which begins on Wednesday, poses the question: "Is the future my responsibility?"
Father Bohan said the theme had been given added resonance following the attack on the World Trade Centre towers in New York on September 11th.
"The fundamentalism which comes from the secular world of the west is as dangerous as that which comes from the east.
"Achieving harmony and balance is a far greater challenge for all of us than achieving economic growth."
He hopes to get half of the £20 million cost of the CΘifin International Institute for Values-led Change from the Government.
"We have a funding committee with professional fundraisers who are, at the moment, carrying out a feasibility study as to how it is to be financed."
Coinciding with the conference will be the five-day Ennis Trad Festival, a mix of concerts, cΘil∅ and pub sessions, which is in its eighth year. It begins on Thursday. Ms Geraldine McNamara, a festival organiser, said many musicians were attracted to the event because it takes place at a quiet time of the year.
"It is a letting-off of steam for musicians and we get some really good bands who would be on tour for the rest of the year." Details are available at www.ennistradfestival.com.