IIEA Talks

European integration has driven a wide range of social policy developments in Ireland and across Europe over the past fifty years – including rules relating to equality of opportunity, inclusion, fair working conditions, and social protections. However, since the 1990s, EU activity in the social realm has slowed. Today, the existence of a coherent ‘European social model’ in the enlarged EU has been called into question. Ahead of the Irish presidency of the Council of the EU, this expert panel will consider the current state of Europe’s social policy agenda and identify the main gaps and opportunities in European social policy. The panel assesses the extent to which the EU’s competitiveness agenda relates to, and may be enhanced by, a stronger European social dimension. The panel also explores the role of the European social model in influencing public sentiment towards political institutions and European integration.

The panel for this event includes:

Esther Lynch, General Secretary, European Trade Union Confederation
Dr Shana Cohen, Executive Director, Think-tank for Action on Social Change (TASC)
Dr Maria Jepsen, Deputy Director, Eurofound
Nichola Harkin, Head of Employment Law Services, IBEC

Food crises are not anomalies — they are recurring and predictable. COVID-19, Ukraine, the Middle East conflict, and now El Niño forming on the horizon: each shock travels the same transmission channels, driving up input costs, and hitting small-scale farmers first and hardest. These farmers produce a third of the world's food, including up to 70% of the food in Africa, and they operate with thin margins. When input costs spike, production falls, and what begins as a price crisis quickly becomes a hunger crisis, then a stability crisis. The question is no longer whether the next shock is coming. It is whether the world will respond after it hits or invest before it does.

100% of IFAD investments are directed toward the poorest and most marginalized people. In 2024, IFAD’s US$7bln ongoing portfolio reached approximately 95 people, with the objective of increasing productivity and incomes, access markets, employment, and building resilience to shocks.

IFAD President Alvaro Lario makes the case to increase long-term investment in food system transformation and resilience at the "first mile" — the rural communities where food is produced. He also addresses the EU's role, and how Ireland's forthcoming EU Presidency can help turn ambition into delivery.

Alvaro Lario is President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). IFAD was established in the 1970s in response to a global food crisis. It is the world’s fund for transforming agriculture, rural economies, and food systems. Lario is a seasoned international development finance leader, he has more than 20 years of experience across academia, private sector asset management, the World Bank Group and the United Nations, including as Associate Vice-President of Financial Operations at IFAD.

Ferit Hoxha is a career diplomat with over 35 years of experience in the foreign service of the Republic of Albania. Since March 2026, he has been serving as Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Mr Hoxha has had a distinguished and extensive career in multilateral diplomacy and international relations, representing the Republic of Albania at the highest international levels. He has served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York (2009–2015; 2021–2024), where he led the Albanian delegation during Albania’s tenure as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (2022–2023) and twice held the Presidency of the Security Council. He has also served as Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the European Union (1998–2001; 2024–2026), as well as Ambassador to France (2001–2006). From 2018 to 2021, he served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNESCO.

Within the central administration, Mr Hoxha has held the positions of Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2006–2009) and Director General for Political and Strategic Affairs (2015–2018).

Throughout his career, he has contributed actively to multilateral processes and has held senior roles within international organizations, including Vice-President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Vice-President of the UNICEF Executive Board, and chair of key processes within the United Nations Security Council and UNESCO frameworks.

Mr Hoxha graduated from the University of Tirana with a degree in French Language and Literature. He is fluent in English, French, and Italian. He has been awarded high national and international distinctions, including the rank of “Grand Officer” of the National Order of Merit of the French Republic and “Officer of the Order of the Star of Italy.”

This event is part of the Future-Proofing Europe Project, which is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, is responsible for the Global Gateway, the EU’s strategy for stronger partnerships, and sustainable development. With Ireland’s 2026 EU Council Presidency about to begin, this event will explore how Irish businesses, policymakers, and civil society can engage with EU-backed financing while adjusting to ongoing geopolitical shifts and aligning with partnering countries’ priorities. Commissioner Síkela gives an insight on how the EU reacts to global geopolitical changes, how the Global Gateway is implemented in practice, how the EU works to build mutually beneficial partnerships, and what it means for Ireland’s role in shaping the EU’s future external engagement. Commissioner Síkela also addresses the role of the EU as the world’s largest ODA donor, as well as the proposed Global Europe instrument and how it can advance the EU’s engagement globally on international partnerships and development cooperation.

Jozef Síkela, is the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, a role he was appointed to in 2024 by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. A Czech politician and former investment banker, his career experience includes leadership roles in Creditanstalt, Česká spořitelna, and Erste Group. In 2021, he became the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, from where he led the EU’s energy crisis response after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and played an important role during the successful Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU. As Commissioner for International Partnerships, Síkela serves as a global dealmaker, fostering international collaboration focused on sustainability, human development, and economic security.

This event is part of the Development Matters series, which is kindly supported by Irish Aid.

Jon Burrows MLA, Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, delivers a keynote address entitled:

"Peace is No Longer Enough: Delivering Prosperity and Opportunity for All in Northern Ireland".

This event is in collaboration with the John and Pat Hume Foundation.

Jon Burrows was selected as the UUP MLA for North Antrim in August 2025. He brings to the Assembly experience from a career in policing and has a strong track record of public service and effective community engagement. Jon was elected as Party Leader in January 2026. Jon is the Education spokesperson for the Ulster Unionist Party and also supports on all aspects of policing and justice policy and engagement.

Originally from Bangor, Co. Down, Jon was educated at Bangor Grammar School before graduating from UU with a BA (Hons) in Law and Government. He also has a Master's in Criminal Justice (MSc) and a Master's in Law (LLM).

Jon was a police officer for 22 years, working both nationally and predominantly in Northern Ireland with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). He held several key leadership positions, including Area Commander in Foyle, Chief Inspector Operations for Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, and finally Head of the PSNI’s Discipline Branch. In recent years, Jon has also established himself as a respected commentator on policing and justice issues, contributing regularly to TV, radio, and print media across Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.