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FORMER US PRESIDENT, Bill Clinton and Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast, Hillary Clinton will take part in an international conference at Queen’s next month to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
President Clinton played a critical role in the negotiations leading up to the signing of the Agreement, appointing US Senator George Mitchell as Special Envoy for Northern Ireland to specifically support and aid the peace process.
Clinton also decided to grant Gerry Adams a US Visa in 1994, much to the anger of the UK Government at the time.
Queen’s University’s Chancellor Clinton will host the three-day conference, which aims to reflect upon how the Agreement was achieved in 1998 while also looking forward with a renewed commitment to resolving outstanding issues as society looks forward to the next 25 years.
Global, political and civic leaders, past and present, are due to gather at Queen’s from 17-19 April.
US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister will also visit Northern Ireland to mark the occasion, although it’s unclear if they will attend the conference at Queen’s.
No dates have been confirmed for Biden’s trip and it’s unknown if it will coincide with the actual anniversary on 10 April, which is also Easter Monday this year.
I'll be hosting a conference at @QUBelfast next month to reflect on 25 years of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) March 14, 2023
Civic leaders who have contributed to peace and reconciliation will join @BillClinton and me to take stock of this historic turning point. https://t.co/1Ym6pAkkNj
Speaking ahead of the event, Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, said:
“Northern Ireland and Queen’s University are both close to Bill’s and my heart. It’s fitting that such a unique event will take place at Queen’s. The University makes a significant impact on the world through its outstanding research and innovation.
“I am proud to host this conference, which will bring together civic leaders who have contributed to peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.”
Professor Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University, said:
“We are delighted that our Chancellor Secretary Clinton, alongside President Clinton and a host of esteemed world figures will be joining this event to share their experiences and expertise in peace-building.”
“President Clinton played a crucial role in securing the Agreement in 1998 while working with local parties to establish the institutions outlined in the three B/GFA strands.
“Secretary Clinton, as First Lady, Senator and Secretary of State, continued that work to secure progress in Northern Ireland through dialogue and working with local leaders and community groups to promote reconciliation. It is fitting that both of them will play a central role in the conference.
“With global leaders in attendance at our conference in April, the world’s eyes will be on Northern Ireland. This is an opportunity to show how far we’ve come as a society since 1998. Northern Ireland is now a place of peace with lots to offer as a great place to live, work and invest.”
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The public are against multinational commercial wind farms where the energy is sold to us, not wind energy itself.
Cooperatives like cloughjordan are an example of how beneficial and sustainable these community wind farms are
Nice soundbites, pity you don’t care about policy or facts. Millions will die from global warming but you’d rather stick to your narrow ideology than embrace change.
You mentioned the public are cautious of multinationals selling electricity to us from wind farms. Did you know ESBI is a multinational and owns quite a few wind farms outside of Ireland?? AND, who do you think really owns ESBI??
When the weather turns really bad and the price of electricity goes through the roof, they’ll be begging for the turbine to be erected.
We need change there is no doubt about that but wind turbines are not the way forward.
So what would you propose should be the way forward?? Let us all understand one thing. At this point any renewable energy is an alternative energy, not a primary energy. And please please don’t start with Nuclear energy is the way to go. That’s crap
That’s real internet hard talk David. Community participation is standard in the more civilised energy economies in Europe.
Any chance we could think outside the box for our energy in the future???? What’s the obsession with wind when we have other alternatives, looking more like cartels want to keep renewables to themselves instead of promoting this….. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=839925169365885&id=728257720532631&post_id=728257720532631_839925169365885#
Stanley. There are plenty of renewable energy sources that are miles ahead of wind. Wave energy being one. There are two irish companies pioneering ocean based renewable technology which far exceeded expectatioms and is far ahead of wind aswell. They had to go to scandinavia to test it because the irish government wouldn’t give them permission to test in irish waters. Osmosis is another one which is far ahead of wind energy.
Oh and btw nuclear is a much more efficient option than wind energy.
Eamon Ryan refused to do the legally binding SEA and CBA for windfarms. He is ignorant of engineering and while he may have good intentions at heart his policies have brought disaster to Ireland.
It’s a pity they didn’t cut their prices two !
Yes, it is a pity they didn’t cut their prices in two.
We are subsidising these wind turbines in a PEAK OIL market – despite all the waffle of the past decade… we need renewables because peak oil will put the price of energy beyond reach… to cloak the huge gap between the price of turbine energy and fossil fuels, they applied a carbon tax.
Remove the carbon tax and you would hardly notice the $100 barrel price.
I’d say Eamon Ryan is a wow at parties
He’s a great cure for insomnia!
If they could cut the ESB bills, like the Co2 emissions we be happy!
Eamons dream is a nightmare for the ordinary Joe soap. Cut carbon emission by what…with led technology and cfc bulbs coupled with A rated appliances most house holds have reduced their energy consumption. Wind farm did not reduce the carbon bill on its owen and that’s what’s wrong with Eamon he only sees the top level and always did. What anoys most is reduced energy consumption by the individual and carbon material intake equals an ever increasing energy bill. Why.
Every house hold has to stump up how much for this crap?
Is that why my PSO is going up again
PSO is 2 thirds gas and Peat, 1 third wind.
Wind is Ireland’s second cheapest electricity generation technology (after hydro).
59% of PSO due to wind
Hi, I think it is 28% for next year.
94m out of 335m.
Alan M.
If that much has been saved, where is the reduction in the pso levy or electricity tax????
“serious about transitioning to 100% decarbonised energy in Ireland.”
This statement proves Eamon Ryan does not know anything about energy systems. Its no wonder we are we are now.
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