IIEA Talks

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A Revived Leadership? The Foreign, Security and EU Policy Ambitions of the New German Government May 23, 2025

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Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, sharpening Sino-US rivalry, and doubts about US security guarantees have left Europe searching for ballast. Against this backdrop, a new German government led by Friedrich Merz promises to “restore leadership.” Dr Nicolai von Ondarza explores Berlin’s concrete goals for developing EU policies, defence, and transatlantic ties, as well as its coalition-building strategies with France, Poland, the UK, and smaller member states such as Ireland. He also addresses how a resurgent AfD might constrain Germany’s room for manoeuvre. Part of our #WhatsNext series, which sees experts debate, discuss and analyse what's next for public policy as political and social change sweeps the globe. Dr Nicolai von Ondarza is the Head of the EU/Europe Research Division at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin and an Associate Fellow at Chatham House. His research focuses on Germany’s role in Europe, EU politics and institutions, EU–UK relations as well as democracy in Europe. As part of his work, he has consulted the German Government, the Bundestag, the UK government, the European Parliament and the European Commission.

How Africa Eats: Trade, Food Security and Climate Risks May 22, 2025

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How Africa Eats is free to read and download from the LSE Press website via this link: https://doi.org/10.31389/lsepress.hae In his online address to the IIEA, award-winning author, Professor David Luke discusses his forthcoming publication, How Africa Eats: Trade, Food Security and Climate Risks. The book examines in detail what Africa eats and where and how it is produced. Despite holding 60% of the world’s arable land area, up to one quarter of the African population experiences severe food insecurity. As editor, Professor Luke has brought together experts in trade policy, international law, and development to scrutinise how finance, investment, foreign aid, institutions, actors, and capacities have interacted with policies in preventing Africa from becoming an agricultural powerhouse. In his address, Professor Luke sets forth the urgent threats of climate change, trade barriers, and policy challenges facing the African continent in terms of food security. Professor Luke will examine the role of the EU as Africa’s most important trade partner and investor and assess whether the EU’s Global Gateway initiative has had – or could have – an impact on Africa’s food production systems and capacities. David Luke is Professor in Practice and Strategic Director at the LSE’s Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa and Extraordinary Professor at North-West University in South Africa. Specialising in African trade policy and trade negotiations, Professor Luke has decades of experience in policy advisory services, managing and catalysing research, building partnerships, and training and capacity development for private sector and government. This experience stems from an extensive career spanning a tenured appointment at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada, and assignments at the African Union, the UN Development Programme, and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) with postings in Harare, Pretoria, Geneva, and Addis Ababa. At ECA’s African Trade Policy Centre, Professor Luke and his team were instrumental in the preparation of the protocols that make up the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement. His PhD in African Political Economy is from the School of Oriental and African Studies, and his MSc and BSc are from the London School of Economics and Political Science. His research and teaching interests are in the areas of trade in development; trade and inclusion; and trade and sustainability. He is also a member of the board of TradeMark Africa.

Living and Working in Europe: Challenges and Opportunities for Europe’s Social Agenda May 22, 2025

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Europe’s world of work is changing fast - shaped by AI, hybrid work models, new forms of work, and a renewed focus on job quality and flexibility. How can its social agenda respond to ensure competitiveness, fairness, and inclusion? This panel debate, jointly organised by the IIEA and Eurofound, also marks 50 years of Eurofound’s research supporting policies for a stronger social Europe. Drawing on insights from the IIEA and the latest Eurofound findings, this panel discussion covers themes such as working conditions and job quality, telework, employment trends, AI in the workplace, and the rising cost of living and housing. Expert panellists also consider how the EU can foster competitiveness, inclusion, social convergence, and other pressing issues in this era of rapid change. About the Speakers: Barbara Gerstenberger is Head of the Working Life Unit at Eurofound. In this role, she coordinates the research teams investigating job quality in Europe based on the European Working Conditions Survey and has overall responsibility for the European Observatory of Working Life and research into industrial relations in the EU. She joined Eurofound in 2001 and has been a research manager in the European Monitoring Centre on Change and Head of Communication and Coordinator in the Directorate Products Information and Communication Unit. Previously, she worked as Senior Research Officer in the European Metalworkers’ Federation in Brussels. Tadas Leončikas has been Head of the Employment Unit at Eurofound since September 2022. Prior to this, he was a Senior Research Manager in the Social Policies Unit, managing the European Quality of Life Survey and developing Eurofound’s survey research. Since joining Eurofound in 2010, he has worked on various topics including survey methods, quality of life, social mobility, social inclusion, trust, and housing inadequacies. In his earlier career, he headed up the Institute for Ethnic Studies in Lithuania where he worked on studies related to the situation of ethnic minorities, migrants, and other vulnerable groups. As a researcher, he has previously collaborated with the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, the United Nations Development Programme, and the International Organisation for Migration. Massimiliano Mascherini has been Head of the Social Policies unit at Eurofound since October 2019. He joined Eurofound in 2009 as a Research Manager, designing and coordinating projects on youth employment, NEETs and their social inclusion, as well as on the labour market participation of women. In 2017, he became a Senior Research Manager in the Social Policies unit where he spearheaded new research on monitoring convergence in the EU. In addition to his work on the European Quality of Life Survey, he also leads the preparation and analysis of the COVID-19 e-surveys. Previously, he was scientific officer at the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission.

Letta, Draghi, and Merz: What’s Next for the EU’s Economic Agenda? May 20, 2025

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With the election of Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the formation of a new German government, expectations are mounting for revitalised German leadership at the heart of Europe. As the EU grapples with a formidable economic policy agenda, shaped by the landmark reports of Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi and influenced by shifting global dynamics under a new U.S. administration, the question arises: where does Europe go from here? In his address to the IIEA, Johannes Lindner, Co-Director of the Jacques Delors Centre at the Hertie School in Berlin,offers a unique vantage point on the evolving policy landscape from Berlin and Brussels. He discusses the EU’s ability to find consensus and deliver on key economic issues, such as common industrial policy, budget reform, increased defence spending, financial integration, regulatory simplification, and transatlantic trade. About the Speaker: Johannes Lindner is Co-Director of the Jacques Delors Centre at the Hertie School in Berlin, where he leads the Centre’s think tank work on economic and financial policy. He also teaches at the Hertie School and is an Honorary Professor at Aston University, Birmingham. From 2003 to 2022, he worked at the European Central Bank (ECB), including ten years as Head of the EU Institutions and Fora Division. He holds master's degrees from the London School of Economics and the University of Cologne and completed his PhD in political science at the University of Oxford.

Future-Proofing EU Democracy: An Address by Commissioner Michael McGrath May 20, 2025

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Democracy is at the heart of the EU's and Member States' political foundations. Yet in an increasingly volatile global landscape— marked by the rise of authoritarianism, foreign interference, and disinformation— it cannot be taken for granted. The digital public sphere is particularly vulnerable to manipulation: recently, we have seen influencers being paid to promote certain political candidates and AI-generated fake news flooding social media platforms. Beyond external threats, there is a growing sense of disengagement among citizens from democratic participation. How can the EU address these challenges? One of the European Commission’s priorities for 2025 is the European Democracy Shield, which is envisaged as a tool to combat digital propaganda, develop media literacy and support free and independent media and civil society. In his address to the IIEA, Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, speaks about the European Commission's plans to protect European democracy, in particular, through the European Democracy Shield. About the Speaker: Michael McGrath assumed the role of EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection on 1 December 2024, as a member of the European Commission under the leadership of President Ursula von der Leyen. Commissioner McGrath has specific responsibility for upholding the rule of law, protecting democracy and fundamental rights, tackling disinformation, improving criminal justice cooperation and strengthening the rights of victims of crime. His broad portfolio also includes improving EU competitiveness through the reform of company law and civil law. He has responsibility for consumer protection policy and for ensuring compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation across the EU. Prior to his appointment, Commissioner McGrath served as Ireland’s Minister for Finance from 2022 to 2024, as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform from 2020 to 2022, and was an elected member of the Irish Parliament from 2007 to 2024.

Peacebuilding and Addressing Gender Based Violence in Conflict Settings May 20, 2025

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As the global security landscape grows increasingly fractured, gender-based violence continues to be both a consequence and a tactic of conflict. In this IIEA event, expert panellists explore how the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda can more effectively address conflict-related sexual violence and ensure justice and support for survivors. Drawing from a range of experiences and diverse regional perspectives, from the Sahel to Latin America, and Ukraine to Northern Ireland, this discussion examines the multiple dimensions of gender-based violence in conflict settings. The panellists also consider how women can be agents of change in peacebuilding processes and reflect on what effective prevention, accountability, and survivor-centered responses look like in practice. This panel includes: Kateryna Levchenko, Ukrainian Government Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy Mary Fitzgerald, Researcher, Policy Analyst and Consultant affiliated with the Middle East Institute in Washington DC where she specialises in Libya Aisling Swaine, Professor of Peace, Security and International Law at the Sutherland School of Law, University College Dublin. Caitriona Dowd, Assistant Professor at the School of Politics and International Relations, University College Dublin.

David Goodhart, Finn McRedmond and Thomas Prosser - 15th of May 2025 May 15, 2025

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'Is Britain Broken?' Recent elections and opinion polls show low levels of support for both the ruling Labour Party and the opposition Conservative Party, with a widespread belief that British politics and society are not working as they should. In the next edition of IIEA Insights, David Goodhart, Finn McRedmond, and Thomas Prosser discusses the reasons for British declinism and what is needed to turn the country around. About the Speakers: David Goodhart is Head of the Demography, Immigration, and Integration Unit, and Director of the Integration Hub website at Policy Exchange. He has authored a number of books, including most recently, The Care Dilemma: Caring Enough in the Age of Sex Equality. He is a former Director of Think Tank Demos, and former Editor of Prospect magazine, which he founded in 1995. Finn McRedmond is a Commissioning Editor and Staff Writer at the New Statesman. She also writes a weekly opinion column in the Irish Times. Thomas Prosser is Professor of Political Economy at Cardiff University. He researches subjects such as European social democracy, party and trade union support bases, and European social dialogue. He is also a keen essayist and writes The Path Not Taken Substack.’  

The Digital Services Act: An Initial Review May 15, 2025

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The Digital Services Act (DSA) is a landmark European regulation which seeks to protect Europe’s values and democratic principles in the online space, and to help counter the dissemination of illegal and harmful online content. The DSA entered into force in November 2022 and began to fully apply across the EU from February 2024. At this hybrid event, a panel of experts discusses the implementation of the DSA to date and assesses the ongoing debates relating to various features of the DSA. The panel also discusses the opportunities and challenges that may lie ahead for the future of DSA enforcement. This event is organised in collaboration with the Economic Regulators Network (ERN), a cross-sectoral group of economic regulators in Ireland. The panel for this event include: John Evans, the Digital Services Commissioner, Coimisiún na Meán Dr Eileen Culloty, Deputy Director of the DCU Institute for Future Media, Democracy, and Society (FUJO); Coordinator of the Ireland Hub of the European Digital Media Observatory Professor Natali Helberger, Distinguished University Professor of Law and Digital Technology, University of Amsterdam; Member of the project team at the Digital Services Act Observatory Irene Roche Laguna, Head of Unit, Coordination and Regulatory Compliance, DG CONNECT, European Commission The ERN is composed of Coimisiún na Meán, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), the Central Bank of Ireland, the National Transport Authority (NTA), and the Commission for Aviation Regulation.

France's Place in a Changing Geopolitical Order May 08, 2025

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In his address to the IIEA, Dr Pascal Boniface examines how France is positioning itself within a shifting global landscape. The presentation explores France’s strategic posture in relation to the evolving transatlantic relationship, its engagement in the Middle East, and its response to the war in Ukraine – assessing how France is navigating complex security challenges and global realignments in its bid to remain a prominent European and international actor. Speaker bio: Dr Pascal Boniface is the Founding Director of IRIS – the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs. He is Editor-in-Chief of La Revue internationale et stratégique and L’Année stratégique, and the author of more than 80 books on international relations, global power dynamics, French foreign policy, and sports geopolitics. Recorded on the 28th of April 2025

David O'Sullivan 'War, sanctions and western disunity' - 1st of May 2025 May 01, 2025

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'War, sanctions and western disunity' As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is in its fourth year and efforts to pause the conflict have both intensified and become more complex, David O’Sullivan, the EU’s Sanctions Envoy since January 2023, discusses the use of sanctions by the EU and others on Russia. Since the invasion in 2022, sixteen packages of sanctions have sought to prevent Russia from accessing dual-use and advanced technologies for the manufacturing of cutting-edge weapons, and to degrade Russia’s ability to finance its war of aggression. Mr O’Sullivan discusses the evolution and efficacy of these measures and how the changed posture of the US vis-à-vis the conflict in recent months has affected EU sanctions policy. About the Speaker: David O’Sullivan spent most of his career, before formally retiring in 2019, in a series of senior roles at the European Commission, including Secretary-General of the European Commission; Chief Operating Officer of the European External Action Service; Director General for Trade; and Chief of Staff to Commission President, Romano Prodi. He also served as Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to the United States from November 2014 until February 2019, which included more than half of the first term of US president Donald Trump. Prior to taking up his role as EU Sanctions Envoy, David was Director General of the IIEA.

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