American University School of Public Affairs, School of International Services, and Transatlantic Policy Center, Georgetown’s Global Irish Studies Initiative; and Ulster University present this one-day event in DC to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement, appraise the progress towards peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and consider the path forward. 

 

Sponsored by the UK Government; the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland; the Northern Ireland Bureau; the Washington Ireland Program; Georgetown University BMW Center for German and European Studies; Georgetown University Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs.

 

March 21, 2023 

9:00AM - 7:00PM  

American University, East Campus, Constitution Hall 

Conference Program

9:00-9:15am: Kickoff — Jayne Brady, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service 

9:15-9:30am: Welcome — Senator George Mitchell, D-ME (retired). Georgetown Law ’61

9:30-10:45am: Panel 1 — Reflecting on the peace journey. Discussion by academics and practitioners on the successes and challenges, aspirations and realities of the GF/BA, progress since, and what remains to be done. 

• Dr. Duncan Morrow, Professor in Politics and Director of Community Engagement, Ulster University
• Dr. Jonny Byrne, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Ulster University
• Dr. Carolyn Gallaher, Professor and Senior Associate Dean, School of International Service, American University
• Dr. Kimberly Cowell-Meyers, Associate Professor of Government, American University
• Chaired by Dr. Darragh Gannon, Head of Irish Studies, University College Dublin and Fulbright Visiting Scholar, Georgetown.

11:00-11:30am: Keynote 1 — US involvement in GFA/BA
Ambassador Nancy Soderberg, former Ambassador of United States to the United Nations and former Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. Georgetown SFS ’84

11:45am-1:00pm: Panel 2 — Reflecting on the international architecture that facilitates progress. Discussion on the diplomatic frameworks that made the GF/BA possible and the current opportunities and challenges around international collaboration in support of the broader peace process. 

• H.E. Dame Karen Pierce, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the United States
• H.E. Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ambassador of Ireland to the United States
• H.E. Stavros Lambrinidis, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States
• Dr. Karen Donfried, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
• Chaired by Dr. Andrew McCormick, former Director General, Internal Relations, the Executive Office Northern Ireland

1:00-1:45pm: Break

2:00-3:15pm: Panel 3 — Analyzing the role of the US. Discussion by current and former US policy makers on the role of the US in facilitating the ongoing peace process 

• Congressman Bruce Morrison, retired (D-CT), Co-Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee to Protect the Good Friday Agreement  
• Ambassador Mitchell Reiss, former Special Envoy to Northern Ireland
• Senator Chris Murphy, D-CT
• With pre-recorded remarks from Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
• Chaired by Sean Whelan, Washington Correspondent, RTÉ

3:30-4:45pm: Panel 4 — A New Beginning: What next for Northern Ireland? Discussion by new elected representatives and youth voices from civil society on their vision for the future and how they frame the issues of the ongoing peace process

• Mr. David Brooks, Democratic Unionist Party Member of the Legislative Assembly (Washington Ireland Program alumnus)
• Dr. Caoimhe Archibald, Sinn Féin Member of the Legislative Assembly
• Ms. Lillian Seenoi-Barr, Director of Programmes, North West Migrants Forum
• Mr. Chris Brown, Partner, Brown-O’Connor Belfast (Washington Ireland Program alumnus)
• Chaired by Ms. Jayne McCormack, BBC Correspondent, Belfast

5:00-5:30pm: Keynote 2 — TBA

5:45-7:00pm: Reception