The Fourth John Hume European ‘Spirit of Peace’ Lecture

The John and Pat Hume Foundation, in partnership with IIEA, hosted The 4^th John Hume European ‘Spirit of Peace’ Lecture delivered by Simon Coveney, former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade at 5.30pm on Wednesday 4 December 2024 in the offices IIEA, 8 North Great George’s Street, Dublin D01 HV56.

Mark Durkan, from the John and Pat Hume Foundation Board said;

“Simon Coveney’s combination of ministerial experience & personal attributes make him distinctly qualified to deliver 4^th John Hume European ‘Spirit of Peace’ Lecture.

“As Minister for Foreign Affairs, he played a key constructive role in many challenging deliberations of the EU. It was not only in relation to vexed complications around Brexit, that Simon Coveney’s discernment, strategic purpose and diplomatic candour proved to be valuable assets for the democratic interests of the wider European space.”

“He is also made decisive contributions to moving institutions of the GFA from impasse to impetus. Simon’s acute sensitivity, expansive attention, astute judgement and diligent adherence to precepts of the GFA have been in consistent evidence – not just in the achievement of ‘New Decade New Approach’.”

“An instinctive commitment to both a Europe of rights and shared purposes and an Ireland of reconciliation, rights and shared betterment places Simon in John Hume’s school of thought. The belief that a bigger, better Ireland in a bigger and better Europe could both be instruments and influences for good in a more challenged world coloured John Hume’s “big picture” thinking. They also come through in Simon Coveney’s reflections on the complexity and perplexity of contemporary challenges and choices.”