Press release -
Eurofound Talks: 50 years of social change in Ireland and Europe
Eurofound has just published a special episode of the Eurofound Talks podcast to mark its 50th anniversary - a key milestone in the history of the Agency.
Over the past five decades, the EU has faced significant social and employment challenges, at a pace of change which is now accelerating. Recent crises, including the financial crisis, the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, energy insecurity, and rising social inequalities have profoundly affected the quality of life of people in Europe; they also pose a threat to political stability.
Eurofound’s work has played an important role in informing responses to these challenges, as well as EU initiatives such as the European Pillar of Social Rights. From Loughlinstown in Dublin, the Agency strives to support the work of EU social partners, the European Commission, key European Parliament committees, other EU institutions, academia and civil society.
In this episode Mary McCaughey speaks with Eurofound Deputy Director Maria Jepsen, and Barry Colfer, Director of Research at the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA), about European social change over the past 50 years, Eurofound’s role in these changes, how Ireland itself has developed and changed, the challenges currently on the horizon, and the role of evidence-based research in informing milestone social and public policy.
Listen to the episode for free on our dedicated page, or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Also make sure to subscribe to Eurofound Talks so you don’t miss an episode.
