In the 44th episode of The Skills Factory we feature David O'Sullivan, EU Special Envoy for the Implementation of Sanctions, reflecting on the transformative events following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union. O'Sullivan recounts the historic moment from his perspective, witnessing Europe's optimism for a peaceful and united future. 

In this conversation we explore the European Union's efforts to support post-Soviet countries through education and skills development. we discover the origins of the Tempus Program and the European Training Foundation, initiatives aimed at fostering skills development and cooperation between the EU and its neighbours. We get the chance to learn first-hand story about how ETF was conceived in response to a European summit in 1989.

O'Sullivan’s career highlights a broader theme in the EU’s evolution: the delicate balance between openness and security. While the Union once prioritized building bridges, it now must also build defences. Yet, as O'Sullivan himself emphasizes, the values that defined the EU’s early years—education, critical thinking, international cooperation—remain vital even in times of conflict.

Host: Maria Lvova Zolotarevskaya