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. On November 19, USIP and the U.S. State Department hosted officials and chief executives from the Strand 2 bodies for a conversation that reflected 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

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

Joe Kennedy III
U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs, U.S. Department of State

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


• Nick Alton
  Political Counselor, British Embassy


• Richard Cushnie
  Director, Northern Ireland Bureau

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

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/northern-ireland-looking-back-looking-ahead