The Fifth John Hume European ‘Spirit of Peace’ Lecture

EU Commissioner Michael McGrath to Deliver the Fifth John Hume European ‘Spirit of Peace’ Lecture in Brussels on Wednesday 3 December 2025.

EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath delivered the Fifth John Hume European ‘Spirit of Peace’ Lecture on Wednesday 3 December 2025, generously hosted by the Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU, Ambassador Aingeal O’Donoghue, at Avenue de Cortenbergh 100, Brussels.

The theme of Commissioner McGrath’s address was  “The importance of protecting ethical, respectful and informed discourse in the EU.” Read the full address here.

John Hume Jnr, Chair of the John and Pat Hume Foundation;

“My father was a passionate European who believed the European Union is “the best example in the history of the world of conflict resolution”.

“The European Union had a huge influence on his political journey and commitment to promote non-violent peaceful change and was instrumental in guiding his engagement in the peace negotiations that led to the  1998 Good Friday Agreement that sought to respectfully and peacefully accommodate difference.”

“The theme of Commissioner McGrath on the need for ethical and respectful political discourse is very timely. 26 years on from the Good Friday Agreement we may have a reached a period of relative peace in NI, but we now face a new, real and present danger, a toxic political discourse across Europe and further afield.

As John Hume said; ‘The European visionaries decided that difference is not a threat, difference is natural. Difference is of the essence of humanity. Difference is an accident of birth and should therefore never be the source of hatred or conflict. The answer to difference is to respect it. Therein lies a most fundamental principle of peace – respect for diversity.”

EU Commissioner Michael McGrath said:

“In an age of digital disruption and polarisation, we must protect ethical, respectful, and informed discourse — because it is dialogue that sustains our democracy, builds mutual trust, and keeps alive the spirit of peace John Hume championed. To protect ethical discourse, we must also protect respectful discourse. John Hume showed that politics grounded in persuasion and understanding, not domination or humiliation, sets the tone for a healthy debate and a healthy democracy. This is why I am delighted to be speaking at today’s event – we’re marking the legacy of an important figure in Irish history.”

Ambassador Aingeal O’Donoghue, the Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU, said:

“On behalf of the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU, we are pleased to host The Fifth John Hume ‘Spirit of Peace’ European Lecture in association with the John and Pat Hume Foundation. John Hume spent twenty-five years as a Member of the European Parliament, through some of the darkest days of the Troubles and through the Peace Process that resulted in the Good Friday Agreement. This event will honour his legacy as the only MEP to have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.”