The Peace Summit is an initiative by the John and Pat Hume Foundation and Community Dialogue, in partnership with YouthAction NI, Holywell Trust, Ulster University, Integrated Education Fund, NI Youth Forum and the Glencree Centre for Peace & Reconciliation.
Peace Summit 2023 Report
From November 2022 to May 2023, the Peace Summit initiative carried out a series of in-depth consultation events with over 700 peace builders, local communities and young people from across Northern Ireland and the border counties who gave their views on progress made over the past 25 years and the steps still to be taken in relation to the Northern Ireland peace process.
Consultation responses have been distilled and included in the Peace Summit Report – A Call to Action which includes an agenda for the future that speaks to issues from the past that still need to be addressed and require a renewed commitment to create the sustainable peace and reconciliation we desire and deserve.
The full report can be read here: Peace Summit A Call to Action 24 May 2023
Tim Attwood, Secretary of the John and Pat Hume Foundation, commented:
“John and Pat Hume dedicated their lives to building peace and reconciliation in the North and on the island of Ireland. 25 years on from the historic Yes Referendum on the 24 May 1998, it is very timely that the final report on Peace Summit 2023 – A Call For Action’ will be launched on the anniversary of the Referendum.”
Dympna McGlade, Community Dialogue, said:
“The last 25 years have brought relative peace, and we should never take this for granted. The Peace Summit has had a deep and constructive engagement with young people and peacemakers on the unfinished business of peace and reconciliation, the final report recognises the achievements and has produced important recommendations and a call for action for the next 25 years.”
Special thanks are given to The International Fund for Ireland for funding the consultation and report and the additional support provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund and Ulster University.
Peace Summit Response to Programme for Government
Following on from the report above, in 2024, the Peace Summit Partners coordinated a further round of consultations in preparation of the NI Executive Draft Programme for Government.
In April 2024, the NI Youth Forum and YouthAction NI organised a Youth Peace Summit designed by young people. See the report on Contemporary Peacebuilding Issues for Young People in Northern Ireland. YouthAction NI have held a Festival for Peace designed by young people. Community Dialogue have and are engaging in local consultation North and South. Glencree are engaging with the All Island Women’s Network and cross border schools project.
The PfG Response and summary is based on the original and current consultations. Read the full report here.
On 4th November 2024, the Peace Summit Partners launched the Response to Programme for Government at Stormont. Dympna McGlade, Community Dialogue, opened the event by introducing the report and the summit’s theme: ‘Are We There Yet?’, highlighting the transformation of Northern Ireland into a more inclusive, multicultural society, but acknowledging the ongoing presence of segregated communities and the need for inclusive, safe spaces for dialogue. Jayne Brady, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, also gave an opening address.
Kate Clifford, Director, Rural Community Network, then spoke about inclusive society and the final phase of the peace process; followed by Eileen Weir, Peace Activist and Member of the Peace Guardians Network, on legacy issues, Brexit, and community resilience; and lastly Rachel Hasson, Youth Action, on youth, opportunity, and the future of peace.
Paul Arthur, Chair of the John and Pat Hume Foundation, facilitated a political panel and discussion in which each of the five major parties were represented: Paula Bradshaw, Alliance, Colm Gildernew, Sinn Féin, Brian Kingston, DUP, Robbie Butler, UUP, and Matthew O’Toole, SDLP. Audience engagement and an open discussion followed.
Dympna McGlade concluded with a call for an ongoing commitment to the peace process as Northern Ireland approaches 2028— which will mark 30 years since The Good Friday Agreement, a milestone where the vision of a fully inclusive, thriving, and peaceful society must be realised.
