DSA Ireland will host the Director's Meeting of the European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI) from 28 to 30 October 2026. This will bring together the directors of over 60 development research institutes from across Europe. We are delighted to use this opportunity to host a public lecture and panel sessions. Details are as follows:
Development Dialogues
Part 1: European Development Cooperation in the current conjuncture
Part 2: Crisis preparedness for the incoming storm
Venue: Trinity College Dublin – Swift Theatre
Date and Time: Thursday, 29th October 2.00pm.
Background & Context
The current conjuncture is marked by intersecting and interacting crises and competing demands. From the green, digital, and demographic transitions to tariff-trade-territory wars, Europe and her member states have evidently pivoted from global sustainable development cooperation to a focus on militarisation, rearmament, and security, along with renewed emphasis on deregulation and competitiveness as essential elements of the region's strategic autonomy. The extent to which this conjuncture is shaping the focus and direction of European Development Cooperation is widely debated, with many concerned that increases in defence spending will drive cutbacks in social investment, climate action and socio-ecological transformation. At the same time, the last decade has witnessed the rise of anti-gender mobilisations; extreme-right assemblages; anti-migrant and xenophobic movements; and ethno-nationalist sentiment. These developments are actively reshaping civic space, with the most recent Civicus Monitoring report raising serious concerns about a distinct shrinking of civic space and attacks on civil society organisations and entities, including the silencing of debate and protest and reduced funding and support for civil society organisations. So, what are the implications for development cooperation and global solidarities?
This event will focus on this conjuncture. Beginning with a Keynote Address from Mr Barry Andrews, MEP, and a panel discussion with leading experts, we will explore the changing face of European Development Cooperation. We will then reflect on crisis readiness and preparedness planning for what many believe is an incoming perfect storm. Our panel of experts will discuss humanitarian-development preparations for the unfolding food-climate-human security and care crises as El Niño continues to deepen to historic proportions and the ongoing war in Iran and across multiple locations continues to destroy lives, livelihoods and realignment of geopolitical alliances and international relations.