Three panel discussions took place throughout the day with the architects of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in 1998: the UK and Irish governments, local political leaders from 1998; and the Guarantors (former UK, Irish and US Administrations).  

The first panel, chaired by Professor Mary McAleese, former President of Ireland, focussed on Building Bridges – The Two Governments with guests Paul Murphy (the Rt Hon the Lord Murphy Torfaen, former Minister of State and former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland);  Tim O’Connor (former senior Irish Diplomat and former Secretary General to the President of Ireland); Liz O’Donnell (former Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Irish Government) and Jonathan Powell (former Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister of the UK.

Watch here.

The afternoon started with a panel on Building Peace – The Parties with speakers including Gerry Adams (former President, Sinn Féin); Professor Monica McWilliams (co-founder of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition); Mark Durkan (former deputy First Minister and former Leader, Social Democratic and Labour Party) and Lord Reg Empey (the Lord Empey Kt OBE, former leader, Ulster Unionist Party).

Watch here.

Secretary Clinton chaired the final panel of the day on Guaranteeing Peace – The Guarantors, where Professor Bertie Ahern, Former Taoiseach of Ireland, Sir Tony Blair, Former Prime Minister of the UK and Executive Chairman of the Tony Blair Institute and President William J. Clinton, Former President of the United States offered their unique experience and contribution to the process.

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Past leaders and architects of the Agreement were honoured in a video presentation:  In Memoriam.

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Created by local artist Colin Davidson, a bust of Senator George J. Mitchell was unveiled outside the Whitla Hall, paying tribute to the Senator for his contribution to the peace process in Northern Ireland.

Read the full overview of Day 1 here.