The summit highlighted the shared struggles and triumphs of Sister Cities, Nashville and Belfast, both of which have been shaped by their deep histories of conflict and resilience in the pursuit of civil rights and peace.  

From the Civil Rights Movement in Nashville over 60 years ago to the peace-building efforts in Belfast, the Peace Summit provided a platform for dialogue, education, and connection.  

The event also coincided with the 30th anniversary of the Sister Cities partnership between Nashville and Belfast, with the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray attending as part of a delegation from Northern Ireland led by Belfast City Council. 

Joe Kennedy III, former Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, honorary graduate, and honorary professor of practice at Queen’s, participated in an in-conversation event with Professor Joe Duffy from Queen’s and award-winning journalist Dwight Lewis at Fisk University, discussing the ongoing fight for civil rights and peace. He reflected on how his grandfather and great-uncle, President John F. Kennedy, campaigned for civil rights, the civil rights issues of today, as well as his own recent role as Special Envoy. 

Professor Duffy, from the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen’s, spearheaded the idea for the Peace Summit. He said: ''It is with immense pride I can now reflect back on how my idea, first envisioned in January 2024, became a reality at the Peace Summit in Nashville. It was a personal highlight to interview Congressman Joe Kennedy III, Special Envoy to Northern Ireland 2022-24, alongside journalist Dwight Lewis about the path to civil rights in America and his reflections on peacebuilding in Northern Ireland.'' 

Director of the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice at Queen’s, Professor Richard English, commented: “It was excellent for the Institute to partner with Belmont and Fisk Universities in this important conference. Wide-ranging, original and practically-oriented discussions were held on peace, conflict, civil rights and reconciliation. I am sure that everyone who attended learned greatly from this major event.” 

Professor Richard Collins, Dean of Internationalisation and Engagement for the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and Chair of the North America Partnerships Forum at Queen’s, remarked: “Queen’s were delighted to be involved in the development and delivery of the Peace Summit held in Nashville. It has further cemented our rich partnership with Belmont University and was a real showcase of collaboration between us and colleagues in Belmont and Fisk Universities.” 

Media

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