St. Patrick's season is upon us once again. Last Saturday's parade in Pittsburgh went off with great fanfare. And according to police reports, revelers were generally well-behaved. Celebrations continue this week in Pittsburgh, and around the United States. Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern is in Washington this week, presenting the annual shamrock bowl to President Bush. Politicians from Ireland and the United States will meet to celebrate the season and discuss issues of mutual interest to their constituencies.

		James J. Lamb is president of the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh (www.iiofpitt.org).

They hope to resolve or at least contribute to the debates over America's illegal alien population, especially those of Irish birth living in the shadows of post-Sept. 11 America. They'll discuss Northern Ireland's political stalemate and pay mutual lip service to U.S./European cooperation.

Of greater importance, but apparently less urgency, is what to do next.

Ireland, North and South, is a different place than the war-torn, impoverished island we sought to help at the dawn of the troubles. The war is over. The economy is robust. At some point, soon I hope, the governments of Ireland and the United States, along with the United Kingdom, will agree that their collective experience in resolving a serious conflict and establishing a sound economy is worth sharing with today's nations in despair.

A concerted effort from all three nations could bring lasting peace and economic development to places like the Balkans, Cyprus, the African continent, several Asian countries, Central and South America and yes, someday, even the Middle East. Such efforts would serve as a better memorial to the life and mission of our beloved St. Patrick than a parade, a party and a pounding morning-after headache.

A few months ago The New York Times reported that one-third of the global population survives on next to nothing. That's 2 billion people. Another report projected that over the next decade, 41 million impoverished children will die before their 5th birthday.

Meanwhile, serious conflict rages in these underdeveloped countries and elsewhere thanks to misguided hatred, ignorance and fear among neighbors. The wealthy elite in these countries, corrupted by greed, and the developed nations of the world, unmoved by images of abject poverty, in their apathy, discourage meaningful contact across communities, with no hope for peace and mutual understanding.

In Nigeria, for example, the fifth-largest oil supplier to the United States and Africa's most populous country, conflict is escalating. Kidnappings, arsons, bombings and clashes between Christians and Muslims have led to reductions in oil production. This country's Niger Delta region is rich with oil. But its inhabitants are among the poorest on earth. Oil companies are indifferent to these inequities and authorities there are undoubtedly corrupt. According to another New York Times report, "the militants who claim to represent the Delta people have evolved into criminal gangs, adept at stealing huge amounts of oil to sell on black markets, the proceeds of which are used to buy ever more sophisticated weapons."

Similar horror is found in Kosovo, Haiti, Kazakhstan, Darfur and elsewhere, each with their specific cultural twists, yet all with common symptoms -- a vicious cycle of poverty, corruption, greed, violence and death.

So it is, as it was in Ireland not long ago. Somehow the U.S. government and its counterparts in Ireland and Britain found a way to facilitate change there without going to war.

This St. Patrick's Day, I implore readers to respond, as Patrick did 1,500 years ago, to reach out to a place that only knows pain.

Adopt a cause for peace. There are plenty to choose from. Study the nuances and varied histories of those who today call themselves enemies.

Encourage our leaders to help transform them to worthy and honorable political opponents, ending the war and winning the peace. And as you toast St. Patrick for his contribution to humanity, toast yourself for the sacrifice of your own contribution.

Happy St. Patrick's Day