Global Crossings Global Leadership Institute at Boston College

Ms. Frances Fitzgerald MEP (and host of the podcast "The European Lens") joins Dr. Robert Mauro, Executive Director, Global Leadership Institute, to discuss Ireland's role in the European Union, the European Union's role in Ireland, and global leadership. Learn about her view of the Irish public's relationship with the European Union and how it has changed or not through the Brexit process. Discussion investigates the role of the European Union in combating Covid-19, promoting public welfare, enhancing diversity and inclusion, and encouraging economic development as well as sustainable trade. Opening remarks provided by Dr. Laoise Moore, Consul General of Ireland to New England.

Frances Fitzgerald is an Irish MEP from Dublin. A parliamentarian for over 20 years, she served as Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) from 2016-17, one of only four women to have ever held this position. She has also served as Minister for Business, Enterprise & Innovation (2017); Minister for Justice & Equality (2014-17) and was the State’s first Minister for Children & Youth Affairs (2011-14). Prior to her election to the Dáil (Irish Parliament), Frances served as Chair of the National Women’s Council of Ireland (1988-92) and Vice President of the European Women’s Lobby.

Frances was elected to the European Parliament in 2019. She is a full member of the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee (FEMM) and the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON) and a substitute member of the Development Committee (DEVE) and the Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the European Union, including Disinformation (INGE). Frances was elected EPP Coordinator of the FEMM Committee in July 2019.

Adapted from a webinar on February 24, 2021. As part of Northern Ireland at Boston College's Leadership Fireside Chat series, Professor Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen's University Belfast, discusses the role of higher education as Northern Ireland reaches out to the world. Professor Greer will discuss QUB's work to develop student skills, drive innovation, and create economic growth for Northern Ireland and global partners. Professor Greer also reflects on the challenges of the Covid crisis in education. Opening remarks by Mr. Andrew Elliott Director Northern Ireland Bureau. Moderated by Dr. Robert Mauro, Director, Global Leadership Institute at Boston College.

Ian Greer has been President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast since August  2018. He has extensive experience of university innovation driving regional economic growth,  including cross-sector developments such as the Northern Health Science Alliance,  a collaboration of eight Universities and NHS partners, and is the cofounder of the Health  Innovation Research Alliance for NI.

He is a strong advocate for University social responsibility including widening participation. He  leads the innovation pillar of the Belfast Region City Deal, driving innovation in key sectors for  the local economy - creative industries, health innovation, data science & analytics, and  advanced manufacturing. He is currently President of Universities Ireland, promoting  collaboration across the island.

By way of background, he is a medical graduate of the University of Glasgow, with his research  and clinical career in obstetrics & gynaecology. He has held senior leadership positions in  several UK Universities, and was Vice President of the University of Manchester, immediately  before moving to Queen’s.

Adapted from a webinar on Feb 12, 2021

Ken Macintosh MSP discusses Scotland's relationship with the United Kingdom, European Union, and the United States. Ken addresses the evolution of the Scottish Parliament, Brexit, calls for a second independence referendum, and other important issues of devolved government in the United Kingdom. Moderated by Dr. Robert Mauro, Director Global Leadership Institute at Boston College.

Adapted from a webinar on February 9, 2021.  As part of Ireland at Boston College's Leadership Fireside Chat Series, Minister Colm Brophy, TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, will discuss Global Ireland, Ireland's new diaspora strategy and Ireland's place in the world. Brexit, the European Union, transatlantic relationships, global trade, and Ireland's importance to tech and finance will be addressed. Opening remarks by Dr. Laoise Moore, Consul General of Ireland to New England. Moderated by Dr. Robert Mauro, Director Global Leadership Institute at Boston College.

Minister Colm Brophy was appointed Minister of State with responsibility for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora on July 1st, 2020. He is a Fine Gael TD representing Dublin South-West. He was first elected to the Dáil in 2016. During the 32nd Dáil he served as Chairman of the Budgetary Oversight Committee which was established in 2016 to enhance the role of the Oireachtas in the budgetary formation process. He was also a Member of the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality and the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs. Member of South Dublin County Council 2008 – 2016. Colm is a former member of the Board of the Housing Finance Agency. Colm is also the former President of the Association of Irish Local Government.

As part of Ireland at Boston College's Leadership Fireside Chat Series, Minister Helen McEntee, TD, Minister for Justice, reflects on questions of leadership for justice and equality. The Minister discusses police reform in Ireland, political leadership during challenging times, the role of women in politics, and other important contemporary political issues such as Brexit, Covid-19, and Ireland in the world.  Opening remarks by Dr. Laoise Moore, Consul General of Ireland to New England. Moderated by Dr. Robert Mauro, Director Global Leadership Institute at Boston College.

Helen McEntee TD is the Minister for Justice. She was appointed to this role in June 2020.

Helen was elected to Dáil Éireann in a By-Election in March 2013, and re-elected in the February 2016 general election. Deputy McEntee was appointed by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD to be Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People at the Department of Health in May 2016 as part of the new Partnership Government.  In June 2017, as part of a government reshuffle by newly appointed Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD, Minister McEntee was promoted to the position of Minister of State for European Affairs.  She previously served on the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications, and was also a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht.

Global Britain and What it Means for Ireland, the European Union, & the Transatlantic Relationship with Minister Tom Tugendhat

Opening remarks Dr. Peter Abbott, Consul General of the United Kingdom to New England

Adapted from a December 10, 2020 webinar

Tom Tugendhat, MP, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of Commons joins Dr. Robert Mauro, Director Global Leadership Institute, to discuss leadership and Global Britain. Britain's important role in the world and its economic and political relationships with Ireland, Europe, and the United States will be addressed as well as the ways in which Britain will engage productively with the world in the future. In 2015 Tom was elected as Member of Parliament for Tonbridge, Edenbridge and Malling and was honoured to have been re-elected in 2017 and 2019. In Parliament, Tom sat on the Speakers' Advisory Committee on Works of Art of the House of Commons and in July 2017 was elected Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, which he also Chairs in this current Parliament. Prior to serving in Westminster, Tom was a journalist in Beirut covering regional conflicts, politics, and economics. In 2003, Tom was mobilized as an Arabic-speaking intelligence officer in the Royal Marines. He served in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he helped to establish the National Security Council providing strategic advice to President Karzai.