A Generation of Peace: Northern Ireland, Then and Now

April 18, 2018
12:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. EDT
Location: Healy Hall Riggs Library Map

2018 marks the twentieth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement—a key component in the Northern Ireland Peace Process that brought together political actors from the United States, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and Great Britain. Over the course of a day-long conference, speakers recounted the events that led to this historic agreement, as well as looked to the prospects and challenges for the future of Ireland.

Congressman Bruce Morrison, who was vital in persuading President Clinton to support the drive for peace, opened the conference in conversation with author Penn Rhodeen. Scholars and practitioners explored the historical, social, political, religious, and cultural factors that affected Ireland’s past and may impact its future in a series of panels. Senator George Mitchell concluded the conference by reflecting on his role as President Clinton’s Special Envoy to Northern Ireland during the Good Friday Agreement negotiations.

Schedule

12:30-12:45 p.m. | A Generation of Peace: Welcome and Introduction
Gerard Mannion, Berkley Center

12:45-2:00 p.m. | Peacerunner Conversation
Bruce Morrison, Former U.S. Congressman
Penn Rhodeen, Author of Peacerunner 
Fr. Drew Christiansen, S.J. (moderator), Berkley Center

2:00-2:15 p.m. | Coffee Break

2:15-3:30 p.m. | The Impact of the Good Friday Agreement and the Generation of Peace
Francesca Drumm (SFS'21), Georgetown University
Claire Rumpsa, Washington Ireland Program
Matt Torney, Studio Theatre
Irene Jillson (moderator), Georgetown University

3:30-4:00 p.m. | Coffee Break and Transition to Copley Formal Lounge

4:00-5:15 p.m. | From the Good Friday Agreement to Brexit and Beyond: Discerning the Future
Robert Faucher, U.S. Department of State
Norman Houston, Northern Ireland Bureau
Michael Lonergan, Deputy Ambassador of Ireland to the United States 
Michael Tatham, Deputy Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the United States
Suzanne Lynch (moderator), Irish Times

5:30-7:00 p.m. | Northern Ireland’s Good Friday Agreement: Then and Now, 1998-2018
George Mitchell, Former U.S. Senator, in conversation with Gerard Mannion, Berkley Center
Introduction by President John J. DeGioia, Georgetown University

This event was co-sponsored by the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs; the Embassy of Ireland to the United States; the Northern Ireland Bureau; and Georgetown's Initiative for Global Irish Studies and Office of the President.

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