Ireland’s programme for its upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union is out!
We particularly welcome the programme’s strong emphasis on the values at the heart of the European Union. This reflects a key message of INEW’s submission to the Presidency consultation process, where we called for the values the EU was built on – Human Dignity, Freedom, Democracy, Equality, the Rule of Law, and Human Rights – to be placed at the centre of the EU’s response to escalating conflicts, the climate crisis and growing global inequalities. At a time when these principles are increasingly challenged, Ireland’s commitment to championing them through its Presidency is both timely and necessary.
We also welcome Ireland’s commitment to spotlighting the European Union as the world’s largest development and humanitarian actor. This leadership is urgently needed in a world facing increasing humanitarian needs, displacement, conflict and climate-related challenges. The EU has a critical role to play in ensuring that no one is left behind.
Meanwhile education is notably absent as an explicit priority of the Irish programme for the EU’s foreign policy. This is a missed opportunity. Education is one of the most powerful drivers of human development, economic growth, gender equality, peace and long-term stability. It is also a foundation for the success of investments in competitiveness and security. Human development and education are not competing with these priorities, with especially education as an enabler of sustainable progress, resilience and impact of investments across all sectors.
For this reason, Ireland’s ambition to tackle poverty and the impacts of geopolitical crises and emerging challenges is intrinsically linked to strengthening education systems worldwide.
As discussions on the future of EU external action and the next Multiannual Financial Framework advance, we will continue to advocate for:
- Education as a core strategic priority within the EU’s Global Europe architecture.
- Strong financial commitments and spending targets for human development and education.
- Continued EU support for multilateral partnerships, including the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Education Cannot Wait (ECW).
- A stronger education dimension within the Global Gateway strategy.
- Investment in Global Citizenship Education (GCE) both within and outside the EU, especially within the 2028−2034 MFF.
At a time of intersecting global crises and increasing pressure on public budgets, investing in education remains one of the smartest and most effective investments the EU can make for a more prosperous, peaceful and resilient future.
