The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) hosted the 18th installment of its Ambassadors’ Lecture Series on Oct. 17, 2025, at the temporary headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Pasay.

Ambassador Emma Hickey of Ireland delivered a lecture titled “Ireland’s Path to Peace and Prosperity and Its Partnership with the Philippines,” where she shared Ireland’s transformation from one of Europe’s poorest nations in the 1960s to having the second-highest GDP per capita globally in 2024. She emphasized key lessons from Ireland’s development that may be relevant to the Philippines.

Ambassador Hickey identified education reform in the 1960s as a pivotal driver of Ireland’s economic growth. She also highlighted Ireland’s accession to the European Union (EU) in 1973, which enabled the country to diversify its export markets and attract foreign investment. Drawing parallels to the Philippines, she noted that the ongoing EU-Philippines Free Trade Agreement (FTA) presents similar opportunities for economic expansion. She also expressed support for the Philippines’ CREATE MORE Act, which she said fosters a favorable business climate for foreign investors, similar to how Ireland attracted multinational corporations to establish their European headquarters.

The ambassador underscored the importance of Ireland’s global diaspora, likening it to the Philippines’ own overseas communities. She explained how Ireland has effectively leveraged its diaspora to build soft power, strengthen bilateral relations, and promote people-to-people ties. Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Ireland has thrived through strategic partnerships with like-minded nations—such as the Philippines—that value open trade and the rule of law.

In addition to economic development, Ambassador Hickey spoke about Ireland’s journey toward peace. She acknowledged that peacebuilding is a complex and gradual process requiring patience and persistence. She reaffirmed Ireland’s continued support for the Philippines’ peace efforts, particularly in the Bangsamoro region, by sharing its own experiences and lessons learned.

The Ambassadors’ Lecture Series (ALS) was launched by FSI in November 2023 as a platform for diplomatic envoys in the Philippines to share insights, priorities, and advocacies. The inaugural session featured opening remarks by then-Foreign Secretary Enrique A. Manalo.

FSI serves as the training and research arm of the DFA. Established under Presidential Decree No. 1060 and expanded through Republic Act No. 7157, the institute is governed by a board chaired by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Other members include the chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the director general of FSI, the president of the University of the Philippines (UP), and the president of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP).