UCC student joins panel assessing European Commission President’s State of the Union Address

10 Sep 2025

• Cian Walsh, Government and Political Science BSc student and Quercus Active Citizenship Scholar, assessed the key themes explored and President von der Leyen’s outlook and priorities for 2026.
• The panel discussion included Frances Fitzgerald MEP, Former Tánaiste and Tom Hanney, Former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU.

Cian Walsh, Government and Political Science BSc student and Quercus Active Citizenship Scholar, joined a distinguished panel assessing European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s 2025 State of the Union Address on 10 September.

The discussion, chaired by journalist and former Irish Times Europe Editor Paddy Smyth, explored the key themes of President von der Leyen’s address and her outlook and priorities for 2026.

The panel featured:

• Frances Fitzgerald MEP, Former Tánaiste
• Tom Hanney, Former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU
• Brigid Laffan, Professor Emeritus, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute

Cian said: "Contributing to the conversation on the State of the European Union is a meaningful opportunity for me as a student, particularly in a time marked by uncertainty and the complex challenges facing Europe. It is a vital moment to reflect on how the choices made today will shape the future of young people across Europe and to ensure that their voices are actively included in the dialogue.”

From Bandon, Co. Cork, Cian’s work has ranged from advancing equitable agricultural policies to contributing to national debates on sustainability. In his second year studying Government and Political Science at UCC, he was selected to represent the university as part of its delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Conference of the Parties (COP), underlining his commitment to active citizenship and in international discussions on climate and policy. In addition to his studies, Cian is also Secretary of the UCC Government and Politics Society. 

The annual State of the Union Address sets out the European Commission President’s vision and priorities for the year ahead. The theme of the address will most likely be developing responses to the current geopolitical challenges, drawing on the priorities set out in the President's political guidelines for the 2024-2029 European Commission, and the measures detailed in the Commission's 2025 work programme.