IIEA Talks

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Promoting Nutrition in a Time of Scarcity Nov 20, 2024

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Dr Haddad argues that, while policymakers and public health leaders are currently managing a range of urgent priorities, delivering good nutrition must be a foundational component of domestic budgets and development cooperation funding. At a time of great food insecurity, he highlights how nutrition stakeholders will need to do more to make the case as to why it is in the interest of non-nutrition stakeholders to agree to tackle malnutrition in the developed and developing world, with examples from climate, the private sector, and international financial institutions. Dr Haddad’s speech is timely, as the 2025 Paris Nutrition for Growth Summit will focus on the critical need for sustained investment in nutrition. About the Speaker: Dr Lawrence Haddad is the Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and has held this position since 2016. In 2020 he chaired Action Track 1 of the 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit: Ensuring Access to Safe and Nutritious Food for All. Dr Haddad is the co-founder of the Standing Together for Nutrition, a response to the COVID-19 crisis, and is one of the drivers behind the Initiative on Climate and Nutrition (ICAN). Prior to GAIN, he was lead author of the Global Nutrition Report, Director of the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), and Director of the Food Consumption and Nutrition Division at IFPRI. He was made a World Food Prize Laureate in 2018 and was awarded a CMG in the 2023 UK Honours List for his “services to international nutrition, food and agriculture”.

Perspectives on the Future of the Court of Justice of the European Union Nov 19, 2024

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In his remarks to the IIEA, Anthony Michael Collins, Former Advocate-General at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) reflects upon his time at the Court. As the rule of law in Europe faces increased challenges, Mr Collins discusses the importance of the Court for European citizens, and offers his perspective on the future of the CJEU. About the Speaker: Anthony Michael Collins is a former Advocate-General at the Court of Justice of the European Union (2021-2024). In October 2024, he was nominated by the Government of Ireland to serve as a Judge at the Court of Appeal. Prior to his role as Advocate-General, he served as a Judge at the General Court of the European Union from 2013 to 2021, where he was elected President of Chamber for two terms starting in September 2016. Mr Collins is President of the Irish Centre for European Law, an Adjunct Professor of Law at University College Cork, and a Bencher of the Honourable Society of King’s Inns.

Digital Assistive Technology as a Key Enabler to Assisted Living Nov 19, 2024

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Globally, it is estimated that 2.5 billion people need access to one or more assistive products or devices, and this number is likely to rise to above 3.4 billion by 2050. In May 2022, the WHO and UNICEF jointly launched a landmark Global Report on Assistive Technology (GReAT), which provides a clear roadmap with recommendations that, when implemented, can address global challenges in terms of access to assistive products and making universal health coverage inclusive for all people, including delivering on our obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with a Disability and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The focus of this presentation will address the conditions required to create a much-needed step-change in our approach to assistive technology and how Ireland can shift to being a global leader in the field, including through its current collaboration with the World Health Organization. About the Speaker: Dr Cathal Morgan works for the WHO Regional Office for Europe, leading the workforce optimisation agenda within the Health Workforce and Service Delivery team. Before his current WHO role, Dr Morgan provided policy and technical advisory support to Governments in scaling access to rehabilitation, digital and assistive technologies with a key technical role in advising on disability-inclusive health policies. He has held several senior leadership positions within Ireland's public service, including as Head of Disability Operations in the Health Service Executive, and has worked with international organisations such as the International Initiative for Disability Leadership (IIDL) and EU EQUAL Initiative. Cathal is a trained clinical psychotherapist with a master's degree in clinical psychotherapy, a PhD in clinical research relating to suicidology, and a post-graduate diploma in executive leadership coaching.

French - Irish Perspectives On The AI Revolution Nov 18, 2024

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In February 2025, France will host the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit, bringing together global leaders, thinkers, academics, businesspeople, and civil society to reflect upon what the AI revolution will mean for the world. AI is poised to usher in significant changes to the global economy, trade, education, government, employment, health, arts and culture. At this critical juncture, Dr Patricia Scanlon and Ambassador Henri Verdier discuss the Irish and French perspectives on what Artificial Intelligence might mean for not only their own countries, but for citizens all over the world. This event has been organised in conjunction with the Embassy of France in Ireland About the Speakers: Henri Verdier is Ambassador for Digital Affairs at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. He has led the France’s digital diplomacy since 2018. Henri Verdier is co-founder and CEO of MFG Labs, an internet-based startup involved in social data mining, and chairman of the board of Cap Digital, the French-European Cluseter for Digital Content and Services. Ambassador Verdier has co-authored three books written in French, L'Age de la Multitude, Entreprendre et Gouverner Après la Révolution Numérique (The Age of Multitude, Entrepreneurship and Governance after the Digital Revolution), in 2017, Des Startup d’État à l’État plateforme ( From State Startups to the Platform State), and Le Business de la haine : Internet, la démocratie et les réseaux sociaux (The Business of Hate: Internet, Democracy and Social Networks). Dr Patricia Scanlon is Ireland’s AI Ambassador, a role which she has held since 2022, and chair of Ireland’s AI Advisory Council. In 2013, she founded SoapBox Labs, a pioneering company specialising in ethical voice AI technology for children with application across education and gaming. SoapBox Labs became a global leader and was acquired by US-based Curriculum Associates in 2023. Her innovative contributions to the tech industry earned her recognition by Forbes as one of The World’s Top 50 Women in Tech in 2018.

Brigid Laffan, Carsten Søndergaard, Marcin Terlikowski, Ben Tonra - 14/11/2024 Nov 14, 2024

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'Europe’s Security and Defence: Where We Stand' Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 transformed the threat perception for many European democracies. Russia has emerged as Europe’s most powerful and menacing power, willing to retool its economy for war and accept hundreds of thousands of casualties in the pursuit of territorial conquest. In response, democratic Europe is re-arming and providing unprecedented assistance to the defence of Ukraine. Brigid Laffan, Carsten Søndergaard, Marcin Terlikowski, and Ben Tonra will join this edition of IIEA Insights to assess Europe’s preparedness in an utterly changed security environment and what the election of Donald Trump as US president means for the US commitment to European security. Brigid Laffan is Emeritus Professor at the European University Institute in Florence and was Director at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies until her retirement in August 2021. Carsten Søndergaard served as a Danish diplomat until August 2022. His final position was as Denmark’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation (2018-2022). Marcin Terlikowski is Deputy Head of Research at the Polish Institute of International affairs. Ben Tonra is Full Professor of International Relations at the UCD School of Politics and International Relations and Project Leader for the IIEA’s policy group on European Security and Defence.

What’s on Europe’s Horizon?: Technologies, Trends, and Policies Shaping Ireland’s Long-Term Future Nov 14, 2024

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The world can increasingly be characterised by uncertainty and transformations. Climate change, geopolitical competition, demographic changes, and new innovations in technology, including artificial intelligence, have prompted the need to reflect upon the implications which these changes may mean for society and businesses across Europe. In this panel discussion, expert speakers drawn from EU institutions and Ireland reflect upon how Europe can thrive in a changing world and ensure that the EU and its Member States are best positioned to meet the challenges and to identify the opportunities which may arise therefrom. Speakers will include: Pascal Leardini, Chair of the European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS), and Deputy Secretary-General and Chief Operating Officer of the European Commission Peter Clifford, Head of Strategy at Research Ireland Elena Lazarou, Senior Analyst at the European Parliamentary Research Service Kevin Flynn, Head of the Irish Liaison Office for Research and Innovation in Brussels, Enterprise Ireland Una Fitzpatrick, Director of Technology Ireland This panel has been organised in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland, and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Being Human in the Age of AI Nov 08, 2024

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) has seized public consciousness in recent years, but public attention has often focused on the technological aspects of AI. However, as AI is inserted into every part of daily life, from dating to doctor consultations, it is important to ensure that this technology is adopted in a human-centric way. Susie Alegre examines AI through the lens of international human rights law to explore the legal frameworks we need to build the human-centric future we want. About the Speaker: Susie Alegre is an international lawyer specialising in technology and human rights and a Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI). A barrister and Associate at Garden Court Chambers in London, she has worked in the field of public international law and human rights around the world for organisations including Amnesty International, the European Union, the OSCE and the UN. She is the author of Freedom to Think, a Financial Times Technology book of the year and Human Rights, Robot Wrongs: Being Human in the Age of AI published in 2024.

The Green Transition and the Investment Opportunity for Africa Nov 06, 2024

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In her address, Dr Songwe acknowledges that the bulk of the cost of the climate transition in many low- and middle-income countries will be borne by governments, with the private sector and Multilateral Development Banks playing a complementary role. Country platforms, transition plans and “Nationally Determined Contributions” (NDCs), in her view, should play a critical role in identifying priority financing needs and in coordinating global and domestic climate finance. She argues that Governments must use all levers to raise long-term affordable finance and create the fiscal space for investments needed to meet the challenge. A Green industrial strategy is the key to translating transition plans and NDCs into clear investment pathways for public, private and multilateral finance. About the Speaker: Dr Vera Songwe is Chair and Founder of the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility and a senior non-resident fellow at the Brookings Institution on Global Economy and Development. Songwe has led numerous efforts to bring greater prosperity to Africa, including as the former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Dr Songwe is also a global climate champion. She is the Co-Chair of the Independent High-Level Expert Panel on Climate Finance, where she has supported the government of the UK and Egypt for COP27 and also for Egypt and the UAE under COP28.

YPN: US Diplomacy and the 2024 Presidential Election Nov 04, 2024

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American diplomacy has faced a combustible mix of unique challenges in recent years, from domestic political divisions to a disorderly international landscape, compounded by multiple ongoing wars. These challenges are unlikely to disappear soon. In his address to the IIEA, Nicholas Kralev reflects on American diplomacy's track record since the turn of the century, its ability to navigate and influence today's complex world, and the potential impact of the upcoming US presidential election in November. Drawing from his visits to more than 80 US embassies during his research for his books America's Other Army and Diplomatic Tradecraft, Mr. Kralev offers his insights into the current state and future of US diplomacy. About the Speaker: Nicholas Kralev is a recognised expert in US diplomacy, international affairs, and foreign service training. He is the founding executive director of the Washington International Diplomatic Academy, an independent organization offering professional training in diplomacy. With over two decades of experience, Nicholas Kralev has closely observed US diplomacy, first as a correspondent for the Financial Times and Washington Times, traveling with Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell, and Madeleine Albright. He has also authored several books, including America's Other Army and Diplomatic Tradecraft, which was recently published by Cambridge University Press.

Lawrence Donnelly 'Check and Balances on US Presidents: Legal and Political Perspectives' Oct 31, 2024

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'Check and Balances on US Presidents: Legal and Political Perspectives' The forthcoming presidential election in the United States has been described as among the most consequential in the republic’s 248-year history. In this edition of IIEA Insights, Lecturer in Law at University of Galway, Larry Donnelly, discusses how political power is diffused in the US and assess how strong checks and balances are on the exercise of executive power. The roles of congress, the supreme court, and the states will be considered in how presidential power is constrained, along with how independent government agencies and interest groups of all kinds influence executive decision-making. Larry Donnelly is a native of Boston and citizen of both the US and Ireland. He is the founder and director of the Clinical Legal Education programme at the University of Galway’s School of Law. He has been published widely in academic legal journals, including on comparative law. He was previously active in politics and government in the US and now contributes regularly to various Irish media outlets on politics, current affairs, and law in the US.

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