A Vision for the Future?
Strand 2 of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and North South co-operation
Audio recordings of presentations at four events in 2024-2025 examining
Strand 2 of the 1998 Agreement
Event #1 – Monday 9 September 2024 in the Canada Room at Queen's University, Belfast
This first event in the series reviewed the
North South Ministerial Council from a range of perspectives, including
its establishment and its challenges. The keynote speakers were Reg Empey and Bertie Ahern.
Event #2 – Monday 25 November 2024 in the Royal Irish Academy, Dawson Street, Dublin.
The second event looked at the economic effects of Strand 2. The keynote speakers were Angela McGowan, CBI, Northern Ireland, and Danny McCoy, CEO, IBEC.
Event #3 – Tuesday 18 February 2025 in the Royal Irish Academy, Dawson Street, Dublin.
This
third event looked at the topics of health and the environment. The
keynote speakers were Professor Sir Michael McBride and Professor Mary
Horgan, Chief Medical Officers.
Event #4 – Tuesday 8 April 2025 in the Linen Hall Library, 17 Donegall Square North, Belfast.
The fourth event looked at the topics of education and culture. The keynote speakers were Prof. Tony Gallagher, School of Education, Queen's University Belfast, and Bob Collins, formerly Director General of RTÉ.
The North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) was established under the
Belfast/Good Friday Agreement (1998), to develop consultation,
co-operation and action within the island of Ireland.
The Irish Association acknowledges the support of the Irish Government for these events through the Shared Island Initiative.