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.

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

June Young Professionals' Network Event

Guest Speaker: Roger Cohen, Columnist and Editor–at–large,
The International Herald Tribune (IHT)


Roger Cohen, International Herald Tribune Columnist addressed the Young Professionals' Network in June, discussing the importance of the transatlantic relationship and focusing on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, energy security and development issues. Columns by IHT International Affairs Columnist, Roger Cohen, have covered the Bush presidency, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, energy issues, the 2008 U.S. presidential election campaign, the Obama phenomenon, development issues, the Beijing Olympics and European issues, including French and British domestic affairs and how these impact on the international stage. He has earned numerous awards and honours both for his work as a columnist and also as author of numerous books, including "Soldiers and Slaves"; "Hearts Grown Brutal: Sagas of Sarajevo" and "In the Eye of the Storm.”

Mr. Cohen previously occupied the position of foreign editor for The New York Times, also working from Berlin, Paris and the Balkans as New York Times Bureau Chief and Correspondent. His visit to the YPN was sponsored by the European Commission under the IIEA's Europe 2.0 project.

To listen to the podcasts, click here www.iiea.com/audio/YPN/Roger Cohen.mp3

Mark Little at the IIEA Young Professionals' Network

On May 26 2008, RTE’s Mark Little spoke to the IIEA’s Young Professionals’ Network. Speaking about his life as a journalist, he recalled numerous anecdotes from his years as Washington correspondent and as a journalist covering conflicts in Israel, Iran, Northern Ireland and Iraq, as well as his encounters with figures such as Bill Clinton, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and his successor Brian Cowen. He also answered questions on subjects as diverse as the role of the media, the role of a journalist, his opinions on Irish politics, the differences between media reporting in the United States and Europe and his predictions for the upcoming U.S. presidential elections.

He reflected on the changes that have occurred in the world of journalism since he entered the field at the age of 21, both in RTE and in the wider media field. He stressed the need for reporters and journalists to reports facts without allowing personality to become a factor or allowing sensationalism to encroach on a topic as a way of boosting viewer ratings. The advent of Web 2.0 technology and the growth of user-driven content will impact on the world of media and there is therefore a need to keep abreast of such developments and engage in new initiatives.

The arrival and impact of user-driven content is particularly noticeable in the success of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. Describing his fascination with American politics, Mr. Little discussed the social movement that is fueling the Obama campaign and the use that is being made of youtube content and other web 2.0 technologies to drive campaigns and raise campaign funds. The number of young people voting in this U.S. presidential election is estimated to be the highest in many years and therefore the proliferation of online information and discussion is particularly pertinent.

Mark spoke of his experiences covering events in Israel, Iran, Iraq and also Afghanistan before September 11 2001 and the fall of the Taliban. He also discussed his journey across the Muslim world during the filming of the RTE series, Who’s Afraid of Islam?, explaining the complexities that he found under the surface of Islam, and comparing these to the complexities that exist in the United States, which often contradict the preconceptions that the rest of the world may have.

He also spoke of China in the word, predicting that in the future what China does will be as important for the rest of the world as events that take place in the U.S. such as the upcoming elections.

YPN Lisbon Treaty Debate

Pat Cox and Ulick McEvaddy were the speakers at the fourth meeting of the IIEA's Young Professionals' Network. The audience was treated to a lively debate on the Lisbon Treaty referendum, with Mr. Cox and Mr. McEvaddy making their case for a Yes and No vote respectively. The speakers addressed a wide range of issues relating to the Treaty in the debate, which was extremely well attended and participated in by members. Treaty issues relating to business were particularly debated, such as the issue of the common consolidated tax base, tax sovereignty, competition and regulation. There were both potential No and Yes voters in the audience and this made for interesting discussions for the group over drinks after the event.
This debate was sponsored by the European Commission.


What did you miss? View the speeches below

click here for McEvaddy youtube video
click here for Cox youtube video

To listen to the podcasts, click here www.iiea.com/audio/YPN/Pat Cox.mp3
www.iiea.com/audio/YPN/Ulick McEpaddy.mp3

Smurfit Kappa CEO addresses the Young Professionals' Network

On 23 April 2008, the Network welcomed Gary McGann to the Institute to address the Young Professionals' Network. Mr McGann holds the positions of CEO of Smurfit Kappa Group and Chairman of Dublin Airport Authority plc among many other both present and past high-profile roles in the public and private sector.

Mr.McGann reflected on Ireland's historical experience of unemployment and emigration and contrasted this with the last decade of prosperity. He underlined in particular the role that education has played and will continue to play in making Ireland and the Irish a success. He also recognised the importance of innovation alongside education, and the talent and ability of young Irish people in recognising and capitalising on the resultant opportunities.

Mr.McGann also emphasised the importance of the European Union and the European market for Ireland,and in doing so reiterated his support for the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in the upcoming Irish referendum in June.

New Members Welcome!

The IIEA's Young Professionals' Network is currently undertaking a drive to increase our membership.

If you are already a member, feel free to bring friends or colleagues to our next event. The Network has already welcomed Minister Eamon Ryan T.D., Peter Sutherland and Smurfit Kappa CEO Gary McGann

If you would like information about the Network, email iieayoungprofessionals@gmail.com

An Evening with Peter Sutherland

On Friday 4 April at 6p.m. Peter Sutherland visited the Institute to address the Young Professionals' Network. The Network is made up of young people drawn from the business and legal professions, the government, the public sector, the media, trade unions, NGOs and academics.

Mr. Sutherland spoke to a captivated audience of almost one hundred on his life and times, offered his reflections and engaged with the young professionals on the Ireland of today. A lively question and answer session followed.

The Young Professionals' Network was launched in March 2008 with a visit by Eamon Ryan T.D. Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources who addressed the Network on the topic of sustainability. The Network is supported by the European Commission as part of the IIEA's Europe 2.0 project.

Launch of Young Professionals' Network

On March 25 2008, the Institute launched a new Young Professionls' Network. The Network was established as part of the IIEA's Europe 2.0 project which is funded by the European Commission. Minister Eamon Ryan T.D. addressed the group on the climate change and energy challenges that Ireland faces and the importance of creating a sustainable economy. The Minister also took much time from his busy schedule to engage in a question and answer session with the audience.

Welcome to the Network!

See our Facebook page here.

The new Young Professionals' Network provides a forum where young professionals from the public and private sector can attend high level discussions by successful and influencial guest speakers on a wide range of topics. Members are drawn from business, industry, professional organisations, trade unions, the civil service, NGO’s the diplomatic corps and academia. Members have the opportunity to meet and foster contacts with many other young professionals from many different sectors.

If you would like to join, e-mail iieayoungprofessionals@gmail.com Details of upcoming events will soon be available here.

As part of the young professionals network, the Institute also plans a series of young media professionals' roundtables primarily aimed at engaging with young journalists. These initiatives are sponsored by the European Commission under the Europe 2.0 project.