Tuesday, May 5, 2009

An Evening with Mary Davis

On April 30, 2009, the YPN welcomed Mary Davis who gave an hugely interesting and inspirational address to the assembled members. Mary's achievements include both tendering for and successfully organizing the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Ireland. Mary is also Chair of the Task Force on Active Citizenship and a member of the Council of State, the body established to advise the President in the exercise of her discretionary, reserve powers. Mary Davis has also channeled her extraordinary motivation into completing the New York marathon and reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Mary began with a short video of the 2003 Games, which captured the massive number of volunteers, well-known celebrities and world leaders, and most importantly , athletes who all combined to make the Games such a success. Mary then expanded on the skills required to achieve success such as belief, tenacity, leadership, motivation and delegation. She emphasized the importance of these skills for young professionals at the beginning of their careers particularly in how they address the difficulties of the current economic climate and work towards prosperity once again.

The Young Professionals' Network is sponsored by the European Commission under the Europe 2.0 project.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Social Entrepreneur par excellence Mary Davis at the YPN this evening! 7 p.m.

You are invited to meet the former CEO of Special Olympics Ireland and hugely respected and accomplished entrepreneur, Mary Davis, who will speak to the YPN about the motivations behind her past achievements, what drives her, and her reflections on the place of entrepreneurship, both social and for-profit, in Ireland’s current economic climate.

Progressing from Events Director for the European Special Olympic Games in 1985 to her appointment as CEO of Special Olympics Ireland in 1999, Mary Davis tendered for and subsequently organised the hugely successful Special Olympics World Summer Games in Ireland in 2003, the first time the event had been held outside of the United States.

Mary Davis was recently appointed chair of the Task Force on Active Citizenship by An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. She was also appointed by the President, Mary McAleese, to the Council of State, the body established to advise the President in the exercise of her discretionary, reserve powers. Mary Davis has also channeled her extraordinary motivation into completing the New York marathon and reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.


To attend, R.S.V.P. to iieayoungprofessionals@gmail.com

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Minister of State Peter Power T.D. Launches Publications on the EU - March 10, 2009 - visit the IIEA youtube channel to watch the event

Listen to the podcast of this event http://www.iiea.com/audio/YPN/19 March 2009-YPN-6 Pack-launch.mp3



At the March 2009 Young Professionals' Network event at the IIEA, Minister of State for European Affairs and Overseas Development Aid, Peter Power T.D. launched new pamphlets and videos produced by the IIEA on different EU policy areas. The Minister commended both the Network and the attendees for their efforts in becoming involved and interested in European issues, addressed the group on Ireland in the European Union and finally launched the above materials.

As part of the IIEA's Europe 2.0 project, sponsored by the European Commission, the IIEA has produced:

- 3 pamphlets on: justice policy, defense policy and social policy. These are highly illustrated, easy to understand and targeted at young people and those who want to find out more about the EU. These are available free of charge at the IIEA, so pick one up on your next visit.

- A "6-pack" of animated audiovisual presentations examining different EU policy areas using images, historical video footage, maps and speeches. These are available on the IIEA youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/IIEA1

You can also view the recording of the event at the following links.
Part 1:
Part 2:

Comments on all of these are very welcome.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Meet the Minister at the YPN! March 10, 2009 7 p.m.


On March 10, 2009, at 7p.m. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheal Martin T.D. will address the Young Professionals' Network (YPN) at the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA.)

This event will be a great opportunity for members to meet the Minister, exchange views and put questions to him on matters of international and European importance. The Minister will also launch a series of new Institute publications on various aspects of EU policy on the night.

We welcome all members and new members to the event. Attendance at all YPN events is free of charge and each event is preceded by a drinks reception. To attend, or to get more information, email iieayoungprofessionals@gmail.com

Saturday, February 7, 2009

YPN meeting February 9, 2009

Author and commentator,
Philippe Legrain discusses immigration in the recession

To listen to the podcast of this event, click here www.iiea.com/audio/YPN/Philippe Legrain.mp3

Most Irish people are concerned about the impact of immigration on the Irish job market in the current economic climate, many of whom face the prospect of job losses and emigration. Recent figures have predicted that 30,000 Irish people are expected to emigrate to Australia alone in 2009.

Philippe discussed these issues in detail, examining migration into the European Union, the impact of this on economic growth, the possibilities for increased intercultural dialogue and the impact that declining economic growth would have on all of these trends. He drew on his vast experience as a journalist with The Economist, an advisor in the World Trade Organization and a contributor to the Financial Times, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal and New Statesman. He is also the author of two books, Open World: The Truth about Globalisation and Immigrants: Your Country Needs Them.
Philippe's visit was part of the Europe 2.0 project which is sponsored by the European Commission.

Friday, November 7, 2008

An Evening with Mary Robinson

On November 17, 2008, Mary Robinson visited the Young Professionals' Network and addressed members on the role that the European Union can play in promoting equality and human rights, particularly as the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was approaching. Professor Robinson addressed a captivated crowd at the IIEA made up of both the Young Professionals and also Suas Educational Development alumni members. She stressed the importance of extending these right around the world, and the role of every individual in doing so, particularly those who enjoy these rights in their everyday lives. She also expressed her belief that women must become better represented in positions of influence in policy making and decision making, noting that this is a vital stepping stone towards guaranteeing gender equality and the extension of human rights to people all over the world.

The Young Professionals' Network is sponsored by the European Commission under the Europe 2.0 project.


Friday, September 26, 2008

IIEA Young Professionals' Network October Event

The first Autumn event of the IIEA Young Professionals' Network took place on October 8, 2008. The Network held a Euro pub quiz in Doyle's Pub, College Street, Dublin 2. During ten competitive rounds, participants were faced with a wide range of questions, from monetary policy to Eurovision trivia and from European history and politics to sport.

The quiz and the prizes were sponsored by the European Commission under the Europe 2.0 project. Congratulations to the winners and many thanks to all the participants. Details of the next YPN event will be online shortly on this webpage. New members are always welcome to the Network. For more information email iieayoungprofessionals@gmail.com