Moderator: Adam Tooze, Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Professor of History and Director of the European Institute

On the 22nd of January 1972 Ireland signed the Treaty of Accession to join the European Communities. In May of that year the people of Ireland overwhelmingly ratified this through a referendum and on 1st January 1973 Ireland officially acceded to the European Communities.
 
Ireland’s 50 years of membership have coincided with a radical economic and social transformation of that country. From an isolated island on the periphery of Europe with a small economy, Ireland has developed into one of the most open, globalized, advanced and progressive societies in the world.
 
Ireland’s EU membership has played a fundamental role in this transformation and the EU is now the prism through which Ireland shares its values, pursues its goals and understands its place in the world.
 
Ireland’s Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne T.D., will share his reflections on the remarkable progress that Ireland has made and the progress the European Union must make in order to make the next 50 years as successful as the last. 
 

The event is free and open to the public.
Please note that all attendees must follow Columbia’s COVID-19 Policies and Guidelines. Vaccination cards may be checked upon entry.