Transnational Political Networks – Dublin Workshop
On November 25-26, 2025, the Transnational Political Networks & the Future of Global Order project, supported by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, will convene a two-day workshop in collaboration with our partners at University College Dublin (UCD). This event will feature a day of closed-door discussions and breakout sessions at UCD (November 25th), followed by a day of plenary sessions open to the public at Newman House (November 26th).
The purpose of the Transnational Political Networks & the Future of Global Order project, led by Professor Mai’a K. Davis Cross, is threefold: (1) investigate why certain transnational political networks achieve (or fall short of) breakthroughs in international cooperation that were previously thought impossible, (2) identify emerging issue areas where their impact is being felt, and (3) translate that knowledge into practical steps that empower these actors to contribute to solutions to disruptions in global order.
Our past April kick-off workshop in Boston, Massachusetts, and the preceding October workshop in Oslo, Norway, explored over 10 case studies of contemporary and historical transnational political networks at the societal and elite levels. These cases shared three defining characteristics at various degrees: (1) ultrasocial in worldview (i.e., inclusive rather than exclusive; focused on the common good), (2) global or regional in scale with the potential for significant global impact, and (3) transformational rather than transactional in their approaches to international cooperation.
In Dublin, the project is concentrating on policy and practitioner perspectives, examining four issue areas where transnational networks are working towards or have achieved cooperative breakthroughs that are transformative:
- Sustainable Use of Space & the Dark & Quiet Skies Movement
- Peace Promotion & Youth Movements
- Nature Preservation & Restoration
- Defending Human Rights Defenders & the Transnational Network of Prosecutors
Day 1 | November 25th 2025:
Workshop Discussions and Breakout Sessions – Closed Door
Location: University College Dublin
Day one will include discussions on how transnational networks are empowered to achieve cooperative breakthroughs, this workshop’s issue areas, and three breakout sessions focused on developing a future policy insights and recommendations document.
Click Here to View the Full Workshop Agenda
Day 2 | November 26th 2025:
Public Plenary Sessions – Open to the Public
Location: Newman House, St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin, Ireland
On day two, scholars and practitioners will gather for four public plenary sessions to discuss how transnational networks are working towards or have achieved transformational cooperative breakthroughs.