"The best ideas in Ireland are all closely tied to America," said Ms Eunice Kennedy Shriver yesterday at the launch in UCD of a medal named after her.
"One of the best American ideas is our network of university centres that study developmental disability. They have been around since my brother was president, and they have made an enormous difference in the lives of Americans who have serious lifelong disabilities," she said.
The genesis of the medal, which will be awarded annually to a masters degree student with a special interest in the effects on families of having members with long-term disabilities, began eight years ago. Dr Art Cosgrove, then president of UCD, sponsored a study visit to the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation in the US by Irish scholars and practitioners. It specialises in research, teaching and community service which can advance understanding of people with disabilities and promote effective, evidence-based interventions on behalf of them, their families and professional workers.
"Since that visit - inspired by Eunice Kennedy Shriver - the lessons learned have become rooted here at UCD," said Dr Bairbre Redmond, of the Department of Social Policy and Social Work.
The Centre for the Study of Developmental Disabilities was launched in January 1996. It is led by the Republic's first professor of Disability Studies, Dr Patricia Noonan Walsh.
"UCD recognises with gratitude the vision, energy and generosity of Eunice Kennedy Shriver," said Dr Walsh. "Above all it applauds her tireless efforts to strengthen families - the key providers of support for people with disabilities worldwide - in their crucial work."
The medal will be awarded annually to the masters student whose thesis gains special merit for advancing knowledge of the families, or the professionals who work with people with disabilities and their families.