The event examined the Nobel Laureates' political thinking and the enduring impact of their work, not only in the context of Northern Ireland, but also in international diplomacy, human rights, and democratic governance.

Lady Trimble in conversation with Lord Alderdice

Mark Durkan in conversation with Lord Alderdice

 

The event was co-hosted by the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace Security and Justice and the Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility directorate at Queen’s, ahead of the 27^th anniversary of the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, on the 10 April 2025.

A number of the key political leaders involved in the 1998 Agreement were in attendance, as well as a distinguished panel of guests and scholars including Lord Alderdice, Mark Durkan, Lady Trimble, Claire Hanna MP, Stephen Walker, Professor Graham Spencer, Dr Peter McLoughlin, Lord Bew, Lord Empey, and Alex Kane.

Mitchell Institute Director Professor Richard English said: “The Northern Ireland Peace Process would not have succeeded had it not been for the contributions made by John Hume and David Trimble. Reflection on the evolution of their political ideas is of huge importance, in Northern Ireland but also globally. This two-day Colloquium brought together politicians, academics, journalists, students, and members of wider society for fruitful, respectful, and valuable discussion.”

Lord Alderdice, former speaker of the NI Assembly, former Alliance Party leader, and Honorary Professor of Practice at the Mitchell Institute commented: “The first-hand reflections of the contributors to the colloquium were frank and open and have added significantly to our understanding of John Hume and David Trimble. They have given us and future historians a deeper appreciation of how our two political Nobel Laureates addressed both the profound historic challenges and the complex politics of the time.”

Media

Media enquiries to Zara McBrearty on email: z.mcbrearty@qub.ac.uk