On Tuesday, 24 November 2026, under the official agenda for the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the National Economic and Social Council of Ireland (NESC) will host this in-person event, marking the completion of a body of research and consultative work on social cohesion undertaken by NESC in collaboration with other National ESCs and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).

The primary aim of this work is to help inform a collective way forward in uncertain times. This event aims to draw all findings of the work together and consider how we can build and protect social cohesion.

Over the course of the conference, there will be the opportunity to engage with senior decision makers throughout the policy system on the multifaceted challenges and opportunities faced by everyone as we work to build a better, more cohesive society.

Please scroll down to see the outline of the agenda; the full conference programme and speaker list will be made available here in the coming weeks. Photos and additional material and important information will also be made available here, both prior to and following the event.

 

08:30 AM – 09:30 AM

Registration Open

09:30 AM – 10:15 AM

Welcome & Scene Setting

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM

Session 1: Lived Experience – How is Social Cohesion Experienced, Meaning on the Ground

11:15 AM – 11:45 AM

Morning Coffee Break

11:45 AM – 01:00 PM

Session 2: Dynamics & Relationships – What are the Realities, Myths and Responses

01:00 PM – 02:00 PM

Lunch

02:00 PM – 03:15 PM

Session 3: Forces Shaping Social Cohesion & Trust – What are the Systems, Institutions, Disinformation & Media

03:15 PM – 03:35 PM

Afternoon Coffee Break

03:35 PM – 04:30 PM

Session 4 : Social Cohesion Over Time – Intergenerational Fairness, Foresight and Futures Thinking

04:30 PM – 04:45 PM

Close & Next Steps

 

For more details on the Social Cohesion work we have been carrying out over the last year, please find them on our dedicated work programme page here. Our Social Cohesion Research Papers, which will form the basis of the conference’s reflections and discussions, are available on our Publications page here.

For more information on our place within the wider European and international policy sphere, click here.