Bridging Generations in a Divided World: Lessons from the Irish Peace Process for Today's Youth

As the Irish diaspora evolves into a third or fourth generation of Irish-Americans, what lessons can today’s youth learn from the Irish peace process as they navigate current geopolitical stressors, deepening political polarization, and develop into the community leaders of tomorrow? Please join the Kennedy Institute for two back-to-back panel discussions, with opening remarks by Síghle FitzGerald, Consul General of Ireland Boston to explore these pressing challenges.

The first panel will feature a conversation with Rep. Joe Kennedy III, former US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, and Prof. Mary Murphy, Director of the Irish Institute at Boston College as they discuss lessons from the Northern Ireland Peace process and Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s legacy of peaceful negotiation.

The second panel will feature two local youth advocacy voices, Leena Ghrici, the Mayor’s Youth Council Program Coordinator for the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement for the City of Boston, and Carla Hannan, the Vice-Chair and Governance Lead of the Northern Ireland Youth Forum. Moderated by Professor Fiona Creed of Northeastern University, the panel will reflect on their work in relation to women’s leadership, navigating diverse communities and empowering the next generation of change-makers and peacebuilders.

This program is presented in partnership with the Consulate General of Ireland in Boston with generous support from the Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Program.