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Northern Ireland: Looking Back, Looking Ahead

Lessons Learned from Strand 2 Implementation Bodies

Date: Tuesday, November 19, 2024 / Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm EST

Center: Russia and Europe Center

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Last year, the world celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement that ended prolonged violence and ushered in a new era of peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland. This year, we honor a crucial element that continues to uphold the vision of peace envisioned by the Good Friday Agreement: Strand 2 implementation bodies. These institutions, created to ensure cooperation between Northern Ireland and Ireland, have been instrumental in supporting peace by addressing shared challenges in areas like food safety, tourism and environmental protection.

The Knockagh Monument, a war memorial with a panoramic view of the city of Belfast, in Northern Ireland, on March 16, 2023. (Andrew Testa/The New York Times)
The Knockagh Monument, a war memorial with a panoramic view of the city of Belfast, in Northern Ireland, on March 16, 2023. (Andrew Testa/The New York Times)

Join USIP and the U.S. State Department as we host officials and chief executives from these Strand 2 bodies for a conversation that will reflect on their achievements, ongoing challenges, the U.S. role in supporting the Good Friday Agreement, and how lessons from these bodies can be applied to other post-conflict zones across the world. 

Speakers

Ambassador William Taylor, introductory remarks
Vice President, Russia and Europe Center, U.S. Institute of Peace

James O’Brien, opening remarks (tentative)
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State 

Senator George Mitchell, welcoming remarks (pre-recorded)
Former U.S. Senator and Special Envoy for Northern Ireland

Panel 1: Northern Ireland, Looking Back, Looking Ahead 

  • Sharon Hudson-Dean, moderator 
    Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State
  • Joe Kennedy III
    U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs, U.S. Department of State
  • Fionnuala Quinlan
    Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Ireland

Panel 2: Lessons Learned for the Strand 2 Implementation Bodies

  • Anthony Soares, moderator
    Director, Centre for Cross Border Studies 
  • Gina McIntyre
    Chief Executive Officer, Special EU Programme Body
  • John McDonagh
    Chief Executive Officer, Waterways Ireland
  • Sharon McMahon
    Chief Executive Officer, Loughs Agency
  • Professor Duncan Morrow
    Director of Community Engagement, Ulster University 
  • Sharon Hudson-Dean, closing remarks
    Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State

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