A conference at Dublin City University taking place Wednesday, October 11, will be drawing views on the Good Friday Agreement from both sides of the Atlantic.
"The Good Friday Agreement: Transatlantic Perspectives on inclusive peacebuilding and community – reflecting on the role of grassroots community groups in Northern Ireland and Irish American community organisations" is the title around which speakers will deliver their views and perspectives.
The conference will take place at DCU's conference center "The Helix."
Said a statement from DCU: "There have been many reflective conferences marking 25 years of the Good Friday Agreement, but the crucial contribution of community-based organisations to the peace process - both grassroots community groups in Northern. Ireland, and Irish American organisations - has been somewhat neglected.
"This conference will bring leading voices from grassroots, community-based organisations in Northern Ireland, together with leading figures in the Irish American community to reflect on both the process to achieve the Good Friday Agreement and to promote its implementation.
"It will discuss what has worked and what has not worked over the past 25 years, the steps that are needed to build inclusion, and how Irish America can continue to play a crucial role 25 years on."
The first panel discussion is headed: "Has the Good Friday Agreement spread the peace dividend?" The listed participants are David Campbell, (Loyalist Communities Council); Sean Murray, (Sinn Féin); Ashleigh Galway (School Principal, Belfast), and Hillary McEvoy (Expert on educational disadvantage). The moderator will be Professor John Doyle of DCU.
The second panel discussion will be headed: "Building One Community based on equality and respect for all." The participants will be Linda Ervine (Irish language and cultural advocate, East Belfast); Aine McCabe (Féile West Belfast); Denis Brownlee (African American Irish Diaspora). and Michael Carroll (Council on American Ireland Relations).
The third session is headed "The Role of Irish America in the Good Friday Agreement." The listed participants are Ray O’Hanlon (Editor Irish Echo and Author); John Fitzpatrick (American Ireland Fund); Dan Dennehy (AOH and Americans for a New Irish Agenda); Siobhan Dennehy (Emerald Isle Immigration Center) and former congressman Joe Crowley. The moderator will be Brian O’Dwyer of the Irish American Democrats.
The fourth and final panel session is entitled "Providing economic opportunities for all" and the listed participants are Jackie Redpath (senior loyalist leader); Gerry McConville (Falls Community Council, West Belfast); Stella O’Leary, (International Fund for Ireland); Senator Timothy Kennedy (New York State Senate) and Marie Thompson (Principal, Hazelwood Integrated College, Belfast).
