Following the military takeover on 1 February 2021, the already precarious situation in Myanmar, marked by numerous ethnic conflicts, has deteriorated significantly. The military junta has enacted a harsh crackdown on civil protests, leading to the deaths of hundreds of civilians and the arrests of thousands. Protesters have formed people’s defence forces in retaliation, and clashes with ethnic armed groups have flared up in various parts of the country. The political crisis in Myanmar is compounded by the spread of COVID-19 while mass displacement, food insecurity, and a breakdown of national institutions further increase the need for humanitarian assistance.

In her address to the IIEA, the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General discusses her own efforts to revive dialogue and peace negotiations at an international and regional level, as well as the UN’s work to address the humanitarian situation in Myanmar. Dr Mary Murphy, Senior Lecturer in Politics at University College Cork, chairs this event and joins the Special Envoy in a brief discussion on the situation in Myanmar.

As part of the IIEA's Global Europe Project, this webinar is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

About the Speaker:

Ms Christine Schraner-Burgener was appointed Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General on Myanmar in April 2018. Ms Burgener has over 25 years of experience in diplomacy, having served in various high-level government positions in the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.  Ms Burgener was the Ambassador of Switzerland to the Federal Republic of Germany from 2015 to 2018.  From 2009 to 2015, she served as Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand and led efforts to mediate between the two sides in the violence that erupted in Thailand in 2010.

Christine Schraner-Burgener - Turmoil in Myanmar: what can the international community do?

Ireland finally beat New Zealand in 2016.
With brilliant commentary from New Zealand TV and previous heartbreak from RTE Radio one and idiotic predictions from Second Captains.

Music: 
Wisdom from Brian Jonestown Massacre https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/tepid-peppermint-wonderland/id1056856909

And Wasting My Young Years by London Grammar
https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/if-you-wait-deluxe-version/id675018027

"Drops it off to Henshaw!" - Ireland Beat The All-Blacks

Tackling climate change is one of the main challenges of the 21st century. Last November the latest UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report warned that we have just 12 years left for effective action to be taken against rising temperatures.

Over the past decade the European Union has led action for climate targets among Member States. In 2015, under the landmark Paris Climate Agreement, the EU committed to reducing emissions by 40% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

While some EU member states have made significant progress in meeting their targets, others including Ireland, are lagging behind in meeting these commitments. Meeting these targets will require ambitious action by Member States to reduce emissions in key economic sectors. The agricultural sector is one of Ireland’s most important industries, yet it accounts for over 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, making it the single largest contributor to Ireland’s total emissions. There is an urgent need to reconcile the need for urgent climate action and the need to protect the agricultural sector’s competitiveness and the livelihoods that depend on it.

Political leaders and policymakers have to find solutions to this challenge now. This is not a challenge faced by Ireland alone. Across Europe, policymakers and politicians are looking for solutions. In France, the Yellow Vest protests were initially sparked by increased carbon taxes. Clearly, a considered but effective approach to climate action is required to ensure a just transition and minimal economic and social disruption.

This event is part of the IIEA’s Future of the EU27 Project, supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Event Chair: Niall Delaney, Presenter, Ocean FM
Audience Q&A Begins at: 36:36

Speakers:

· Marian Harkin, outgoing MEP for the Midlands/North West Constituency;

· Martin Kenny TD, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Agriculture, Food & the Marine;

· Thomas Cooney, Chairman of the IFA National Environment Committee

· Dr Pippa Hackett, Green Party Spokesperson on Agriculture, Food, Forestry, Heritage & Animal Welfare.

Climate Change and the Future of Agriculture: A Debate on the Future of Europe

Sharing Ideas Shaping Policy. The Institute of International and European Affairs is an independent policy research think-tank based in Dublin.

Christine Schraner-Burgener - Turmoil in Myanmar: what can the international community do?

IIEA

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