Programme

(local time)

This page is also available in:

Joint conference organised by the EESC & the National Economic and Social Council of Ireland in the framework of the 2026 EU Irish Presidency

Building and protecting social cohesion: a national, European and international perspective

Moderator for the Day: Noelle O’Connell, European Movement International

9.30-10.10 | Welcome & Scene setting

  • John Callinan, Chair, Irish NESC

Video Input on Participative Research

  • Micheál Martin, Taoiseach
  • Séamus Boland, EESC President
  • N.N., Commissioner responsible for XXXX (tbc)

10.15-11.15 | Session 1: Lived Experience - How is Social Cohesion Experienced, Meaning on the Ground

Keynote speaker 

  • Professor Arlie Hothschild, University of Berkeley

Panel  

  • Joe Whelan, Social Cohesion in Practice
  • Ola Majekodunmi, Fighting Words, Ireland
  • Arnstein Aasve, Universita’ Bocconi, FutuRes Project
  • Eddie Mullins, CEO, Merchant's Quay Ireland 
  • Gerry Reilly / Sarah Crilly, Central Statistics Office, Social Cohesion

Q&A   Audience Participation 

11.15-11.45 | Coffee Break

11.45-13.00 | Session 2: Dynamics & Relationships – Realities, Myths and Responses

Keynote speaker 

  • Roxana Mînzatu, European Commission, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness (tbc) OR
  • N.N., DG for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (tbc)

Panel 

  • John Tomaney, UCL – Left Behind Places
  • Sanne Velthuis, Newcastle University - Left Behind EU Project
  • Keire Murphy, European Migrant Centre – Integration 
  • Susanne Rogers, Social Justice Ireland 
  • Maura Walsh, Rural Community, Dulhallow

Q&A  Audience Participation

Key Reflections & Next Steps 

  • Christa Schweng, EESC Member (Group I), member of the Study Group for the Opinion on 'Quality Jobs Roadmap'

13.00-14.00 | Standing lunch 

  • Video Input – Intergenerational Connection

14.00-15.15 | Session 3: Forces Shaping Social Cohesion & Trust: Systems, Institutions, Disinformation & Media 

Video Inputs 

  • Li Andersson, Chair of Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, European Parliament: Anti-Poverty strategy (video message) (tbc)

Keynote speaker 

  • Martin Sandbu, European economics commentator, Financial Times 

Panel 

  • Diarmuid Torney, RETOOL project, DCU 
  • Carlotta Magoga, European Partnership for Democracy
  • Leonardo De Agostini, European Institute for Security Studies
  • Joe Little, former Religious and Social Affairs correspondent, RTÉ
  • Eileen Culloty, DCU Institute for Media, Democracy and Society

Q&A  Audience Participation 

Key Reflections & Next Steps 

  • Christian Moos, EESC Member (Group III), Rapporteur for the Opinion on 'The European Democracy Shield'

15.15-15.35 | Coffee Break

15.35-16.30 | Session 4 : Social Cohesion Over Time: Intergenerational Fairness, Foresight and Futures Thinking

Video Inputs 

  • Nicolae Ștefănuță, Vice-President of the European Parliament:  Intergenerational fairness (video message) (tbc)

Keynote speaker 

  • Sara Costantino, Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability 

Panel 

  • Caillum Hedderman, President of the European Youth Forum (tbc) 
  • Johanna Bernsel, Member of the Cabinet of EU Commissioner Micallef; European Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness
  • Patricia Rickard-Clarke, Chairperson Safeguarding Ireland
  • Massimiliano Mascherini, EUROFOUND : social cohesion 

Key Reflection and Next Steps 

  • Nicoletta Merlo, EESC Member (Group II), President of the EESC Youth Group and member of the Study group for the opinion on 'Strategy on intergenerational fairness'

Q&A   Audience Participation 

16.30-16.45 | Close & Next Steps

  • Dara Calleary, Irish Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development
  • Liz Canavan, Deputy-Chair of the NESC of Ireland
  • Séamus Boland, EESC President