The Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) was founded in 1991 and is Ireland’s leading think tank on European and international affairs. Its extensive research programme aims to provide IIEA members with high-level analysis and forecasts of the challenges on the global and EU policy agendas. It acts as a catalyst for new thinking, new solutions and policy options.
The IIEA provides a forum for dialogue between its members on EU and international developments and their implications for Ireland and Europe. The aim of the IIEA is to evaluate and foster debate on strategic policy options, to exchange views across sectoral, occupational and professional boundaries, and so to add a new dimension to the development of national policy.
The IIEA directs its information and analysis towards policymakers in government, business, industry, the civil service, the diplomatic corps, the legal professions, social and voluntary organisations, trade unions, the media and academia.
The research work of the IIEA is organised in thematic working groups. Flagship groups include: the Future of Europe; Economics and Finance; Digital Future; Justice and Home Affairs; Energy and Environment; Foreign, Security and Defence Policy; Wider Europe; and country specific groups on China, France, Germany, the UK and the US. The groups meet frequently and generate a wide range of publications including reports, books, occasional papers, newsletters, briefing notes, and pamphlets, all of which are made available online.
The IIEA holds more than 100 events per year at which thought leaders outline their vision of key issues that affect European citizens. This extensive programme of events includes keynote addresses, conferences, seminars, confidential briefings, and roundtable discussions. Recent speakers at the IIEA include Ban-Ki Moon, UN Secretary General; Herman Van Rompuy, European Council President; Steven Chu, US Secretary of Energy, and Sharon Bowles, Chair of the European Parliament’s ECON Committee.
In addition to its high-calibre events schedule, the IIEA has an innovative website (www.iiea.com) combining video and audio recordings of events with blogs, publications, infographics, animations, and short video interviews. It has users across all EU member states.
In addition to the work programme undertaken in Ireland, the IIEA has an active branch in Brussels which acts as a network for Irish professionals and policy-makers in the EU and which develops its own initiatives.
As Ireland prepares to assume to Presidency of the Council of the EU on 1 January 2013, the IIEA recently hosted a Pre-Presidency Conference in Dublin Castle, in conjunction with TEPSA, on 23 November 2012. Attended by over 400 delegates, and including four Senior Government Ministers amongst speakers, the conference focussed on Ireland’s Presidency Priorities, The Future of the Union, The Digital/Energy Interface, Economic Governance and EMU and EU Foreign Policy.
For information on the Conference, together with recordings of presentations, click here.
For more information on the IIEA’s activities, please visit the IIEA’s website.