Break The Silence / End The Violence
2026-06-13 06:37 (Europe/London)
Join YEM for our much anticipated campaign to raise awareness of, destigmatise discussion of and combat gender based violence (GBV) and champion gender equality. With GBV declared a national emergency in the UK and levels rising in several EU member states, this discussion comes at a pivotal time. An expert panel will examine the implementation of the Istanbul Convention across the EU and performance against Labour’s pledge to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the UK.
Followed by discussion and Q&A as well as a networking reception.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore materials from the official Break The Silence exhibition, a joint venture with multi-award winning artist Ally Zlatar.
Chair: Emma Nelson, Presenter, journalist, podcaster and broadcaster. Currently reporting for Monocle 24 and former BBC reporter.
Speakers:
🎤 Frances Fitzgerald: former MEP and Vice President of the EPP Group, Co-Rapporteur of the EU Directive Criminalising VAWG ratified earlier this year, and member of the Gender Equality Advisory Board. Prior to her election to the Dáil, Frances served as Chair of the National Women’s Council of Ireland (1988-92) and Vice President of the European Women’s Lobby, as well as serving as Tánaiste (2016-17).
🎤 Cecilia Jastrzembska: YEM President & Co-Director. Senior Policy Advisor with six years experience in central UK government,
🎤 Sanna Lepola: gender equality expert and Director-General for Parliamentary Democracy Partnerships, European Parliament, which fosters cooperation and legislative dialogue with national parliaments by providing advice and expertise to political bodies, members and administrative entities.
NB 🪪 Bring ID and arrive at 5:45 to clear security and avoid disruption. Latecomers will have to wait for the current speaker to finish. If you cannot attend please email Europe House ASAP. This event is already 75% subscribed.

Will the Brexit headache ever end?
2026-06-13 06:37
Most of Britain might have expected Brexit to be a phrase of the past by now, buried in our pre-Covid subconscious. But, as we approach the eighth anniversary of the referendum, Brexit-related issues are just as prominent and divisive as ever. Critics of Brexit are more vocal than ever and concerns abound about food imports, tightened rules for EU holidaymakers and security.
Join The Independent’s Chief Political Commentator John Rentoul as he discusses all things Brexit past, present and future with a panel of experts.
