Mayo native making his mark on international stage
IT has been quite the few weeks for Mayo native Luke Gibbons, who first represented Europe’s young people at the World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg before meeting former US Vice-President Kamala Harris in Boston days later.
Gibbons, a PhD researcher at Trinity College Dublin, was invited to the prestigious Council of Europe event, where he made two interventions on behalf of European youth. His first addressed the regulation of social media across the European Union, while the second focused on improving the representation of young candidates in elections - issues central to the future of democracy and digital governance.
“It was an honour to contribute to such vital discussions,” Gibbons said, thanking the European Academy of Diplomacy for the opportunity. He also acknowledged ongoing support from Trinity College Dublin School of Law, Research Ireland, the Fulbright Commission Ireland, and the Casimir Pulaski Foundation.
Gibbons then travelled to Boston, where he met with former US Vice-President Kamala Harris during her visit to the city. The moment held special significance: Chapter 7 of Luke’s PhD is built around a line from Harris’s 2024 concession speech - “Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.”
“Never, when submitting my thesis in September, did I imagine I’d be discussing that very chapter with the Vice-President herself in November,” he said.
Their conversation touched on US-Ireland relations, the Washington Ireland Program, the European Academy of Diplomacy, and even a light-hearted moment recalling the time Gibbons once snapped a photo behind Harris’s desk.
“A truly memorable day,” he added, expressing particular gratitude to his PhD supervisor, Professor Deirdre Ahern, whose support he described as “unwavering.”
“I can now be sure that the former US Vice-President is well aware of Claremorris, Co. Mayo,” he joked.
From shaping conversations on European democracy to meeting one of America’s most influential
political leaders, it has been a remarkable period for the young Mayo man making his mark on the international stage.