Between 1st July and 31st December 2026, Ireland will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU). This is going to be a crucial opportunity for Ireland to steer the EU’s policy and legislative agenda.
Over the six-month Presidency, Ireland will shape the agenda of the Council and its policy and legislative agenda. Irish Ministers and officials will lead Council meetings and preparatory bodies, while also acting on behalf of the Council in interactions with other EU institutions.
This is a crucial opportunity to champion education in the EU’s Foreign Policy, Development and Humanitarian Aid, Gender Equality, and Climate Action.
But this is about more: In these challenging times, the Irish Government must prioritise above else the values on which the EU was built: Human Dignity, Freedom, Democracy, Equality, the Rule of Law, and Human Rights .
These values are non-negotiable and must find a confident, principled, and vocal champion in the Irish EU Presidency—ready to defend and to advance them.
An essential underpinning of this is the safeguarding of reliable, principled, and impactful development and humanitarian assistance—where human dignity, not economic considerations, stands at the centre.
This is crucial as a foundation for a world where everyone can realise their right to inclusive, equitable, safe, and quality education.
At INEW, we are actively contributing as preparations for the Irish EU Presidency advance:
- We’ve participated in an insightful and engaging consultation event with stakeholders organised by Irish Aid and DFAT at Iveagh House on 4th December.
- And we have submitted our written contribution to the DFAT’s consultation to develop the Irish priorities. Our submission outlines both our vision for the Irish EU Presidency and our recommendations on priorities for the EU’s upcoming policy and legislative agenda, aiming to safeguard and advance the right to inclusive, equitable, safe, and quality education throughout Ireland’s Presidency.
The submission will be considered as part of the development of Ireland’s Presidency priorities and policy programme. The DFAT will publish a summary thematic report in due time. Learn more here.
