Tuesday, March 21, 2023

The outline of the georgetown university campus buildings are framed against the blue sky.

Georgetown’s Global Irish Studies Initiative; American University School of Public Affairs, School of International Service, and Transatlantic Policy Center; and Ulster University present:

Washington Summit on the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement

This event will take place in person at Constitution Hall, East Campus, American University on March 21st, 2023, from 9am to 7pm EDT. It will also be live-streamed and recorded (details of livestream will be posted on this page by the morning of March 21st–please check back)

REGISTER to attend in-person

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.

The following draft schedule is subject to change.

Schedule

9:00-9:15am: Kickoff — Mr. Andrew Elliott, Director, Northern Ireland Bureau; Prof. Paul Bartholomew, Vice-Chancellor, Ulster University

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 at University College Dublin and Fulbright Visiting Scholar, Georgetown University

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, D-CT (retired), Co-Chair of 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 by 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. Jane McCormick, BBC Correspondent, Belfast

5:00-5:30pm: Keynote 2 —

Dr. Vicky Wilkins, Dean, School of Public Affairs, American University

Pre-recorded remarks from US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs, Joe Kennedy 

5:45-7:00pm: Reception

This event is free and open to the public. If you wish to make a donation to support the Global Irish Studies series of free lectures and seminars, it will be gratefully received. Please go to our Giving page to make a tax-free donation or click on the button below:

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