DSAI hosted the Directors’ Meeting of the European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI) from 28 to 30 October 2026, bringing together the directors of over 60 development research institutes from across Europe.
As part of this, we were delighted to host Development Dialogues, a public lecture and panel sessions held on Thursday, 29 October at the JM Synge Lecture Theatre, Trinity College Dublin. The event explored two themes: European Development Cooperation in the Current Conjuncture and Crisis Preparedness for the Incoming Storm. You can watch the full recording above.
Background & Context
The current conjuncture is marked by intersecting and interacting crises and competing demands. From green, digital, and demographic transitions to tariff-trade-territory wars, Europe and its member states are pulled between their interests in securing global sustainable development cooperation and their concerns about security and strategic autonomy in a rapidly changing geopolitical context. The extent to which this conjuncture is shaping the focus and direction of European Development Cooperation is widely debated, with many concerned that increased defence spending will drive cutbacks in social investment, climate action, and socio-ecological transformation.
This event focused on this conjuncture and asked what it means for development cooperation and global solidarities. The event opened with a keynote address by Mr Barry Andrews, MEP, followed by a panel discussion with leading experts examining the changing face of European Development Cooperation. The second part of the day focused on crisis readiness and preparedness for the incoming perfect storm. Commencing with a keynote contribution from Dr Sinead Walsh, our panel of experts discussed crisis readiness for the unfolding, interacting food-climate-human-security-care crises driven by a historic El Niño, ongoing wars, realigning geopolitical alliances and weakening international institutions.
FULL PROGRAMME AND SPEAKER BIOS
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