Small nations and international relations: Ireland’s approach to foreign policy
Joe Hackett, Secretary General, Ireland Department of Foreign Affairs
5.30pm, Tuesday, 21 February 2023
National Office
Lecture Theatre 1, Rutherford House, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, 33 Bunny Street, Pipitea, Wellington 6011
The event is free to attend. It will include questions and answers, and is followed by a drinks reception. Pre-registration is required.
About the event
Ireland and Aotearoa New Zealand share special ties of kinship. This kinship extends to foreign policy where shared values and commitment to advancing fundamental freedoms, human rights and the rule of law have meant close and likeminded partners for many decades. Ireland and Aotearoa New Zealand can be found in the frontline of global efforts on a wide variety of foreign policy priorities from disarmament to peace and security to the protection of women and girls, and are working together to address existential issues such as climate change and global warming.
Key to the ability of small countries such as New Zealand and Ireland to deliver on their foreign policy objectives is the taking of active roles multilateral organisations. Ireland has just completed its term as an elective member of the UN Security Council where it took a leadership role across a range of issues during a time of immense international upheaval. And this year,the country also marks the 50th anniversary of its accession to the European Union where Ireland has used its membership to extend its diplomatic capability and strengthen its negotiating position as a small nation with an open, export-driven economy, while actively promoting the Union’s values of pluralism, non-discrimination, justice and equality.
Organised by the National Office of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs Whare Tawāhi-a-mahi i Aotearoa in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Ireland to New Zealand.
About Joe Hackett
In reflecting on these topics and the role small Foreign Ministries will have in the future, Secretary General Mr Joe Hackett will draw on his vast experience in Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs. Having joined in 1995, the Secretary General has served in a variety of positions in Ireland and abroad. More recently as Director General of EU Division (2019 – 2021), Deputy Permanent Representative of Ireland to the European Union (2017 – 2019) and as Permanent Representative to the EU’s Political and Security Committee (2013 – 2017). He also has extensive experience of managing Ireland’s bilateral relationship with the United States and engaging with our global diaspora and international business community.
The event is free to attend. It will include questions and answers, and is followed by a drinks reception. Pre-registration is required.
About the event
Ireland and Aotearoa New Zealand share special ties of kinship. This kinship extends to foreign policy where shared values and commitment to advancing fundamental freedoms, human rights and the rule of law have meant close and likeminded partners for many decades. Ireland and Aotearoa New Zealand can be found in the frontline of global efforts on a wide variety of foreign policy priorities from disarmament to peace and security to the protection of women and girls, and are working together to address existential issues such as climate change and global warming.
Key to the ability of small countries such as New Zealand and Ireland to deliver on their foreign policy objectives is the taking of active roles multilateral organisations. Ireland has just completed its term as an elective member of the UN Security Council where it took a leadership role across a range of issues during a time of immense international upheaval. And this year,the country also marks the 50th anniversary of its accession to the European Union where Ireland has used its membership to extend its diplomatic capability and strengthen its negotiating position as a small nation with an open, export-driven economy, while actively promoting the Union’s values of pluralism, non-discrimination, justice and equality.
Organised by the National Office of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs Whare Tawāhi-a-mahi i Aotearoa in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Ireland to New Zealand.
About Joe Hackett
In reflecting on these topics and the role small Foreign Ministries will have in the future, Secretary General Mr Joe Hackett will draw on his vast experience in Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs. Having joined in 1995, the Secretary General has served in a variety of positions in Ireland and abroad. More recently as Director General of EU Division (2019 – 2021), Deputy Permanent Representative of Ireland to the European Union (2017 – 2019) and as Permanent Representative to the EU’s Political and Security Committee (2013 – 2017). He also has extensive experience of managing Ireland’s bilateral relationship with the United States and engaging with our global diaspora and international business community.
Membership
NZIIA membership is open to anyone interested in understanding the importance of global affairs to the political and economic well-being of New Zealand.