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Ulster University in partnership with Build Up and the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building, will host the fifth international Build Peace conference.

Taking place from 29-31 October, the conference brings together practitioners, activists, academics, policy makers, artists and technologists from across the world to share experience and ideas on using technology, arts and other innovations for peacebuilding and conflict transformation.
The conference will bring together over 300 international delegates and cover three key themes including creativity and reconciliation, inclusion and social cohesion and sustainability and resilience. Across the three days there will be a series of short talks, dialogues, workshops and interactive exhibitions.

Professor Duncan Morrow, Director of Community Engagement at Ulster University said:
“Peace and conflict reconciliation is a key research area at Ulster University. We are very pleased to be a part of this conference which brings together thought leaders from across the world, to look at how we can use the creative industries to build peace and transform our societies. As Northern Ireland’s civic university our campuses are enshrined in their local communities. We are proud to produce globally significant research with local relevance. This conference is an excellent opportunity to reflect on peace and conflict innovations and with the recent celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, showcase learning from Northern Ireland.”

Michaela Ledesma, Co-founder of the Build Peace conference and Build Up Programs Director, said:
“We’re excited to celebrate the 5th year of the Build Peace conference in Belfast this October and, in particular, to explore how innovation is and can empower communities to address key economic challenges. We often hear that Build Peace is a different type of event – one that puts the focus on people who are doing the challenging, long-term work to transform their societies. We warmly thank the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building, Ulster University, and Visit Belfast for their support, and look forward to a rich exchange between change-makers in Northern Ireland and our global community from 60+ countries at Build Peace 2018.”

Eva Grosman, CEO of the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building said:
“We are absolutely delighted that Build Peace will take place in Ulster University’s Belfast campus this October. Following successful events in the US, Cyprus, Switzerland and Colombia, it is now time for Northern Ireland to showcase some remarkable projects, to learn and exchange ideas with colleagues from across the globe and to explore how technology, innovation and creativity can re-shape the economic opportunities, economic organisation and economic power that impact how we live together in peace. We are truly grateful for the support from Ulster University and Visit Belfast in securing this significant conference coming to Belfast this year and look forward to developing further partnerships in public, private and community sectors.”

For further information and to book your place at the Peace Build conference please visit http://howtobuildpeace.org/registration

This week in Belfast, over 200 international delegates from around the globe will come to Belfast for ‘Peace and Beyond’. This is an international conference focused on peace-building to mark the 20th anniversary of the Agreement led by the British Council in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast & Ulster University in association with CDPB. This international focus reflects the ripple of the Agreement and encourages us to realise that we can be global leaders in how to build the bridge between peace and reconciliation.

It will also be the week in which the world will reflect on the leaders whose vision and courage brought about the Agreement. My alma mater will host President Clinton, Senator George Mitchell, Jonathan Powell, Bertie Ahern, Lord Trimble, Monica McWilliams, Gerry Adams, Lord Alderdice, Seamus Mallon and many others. This generation understood the importance of compromise and the courage required in relationship building.

Our great hope must be that our current generation of politicians can summon the same vison and courage.

For me, this week will also be about our unsung heroes: the every-day peace builders.

There are many within our society who have been building bridges for their entire lives: often at great cost to themselves and their families.

I think of the extraordinary role of religious minsters; our journalists; our business people; our educators; our trade unionists; our community workers; our student movement; our women’s organisations; our youth organisations; our LGBTQ+ organisations; our ethnic minority organisations; campaigners for those with disabilities; our musicians, artists & entertainers; our community & voluntary sector; our entrepreneurs; our police service & emergency service providers; our healthcare professionals; our public servants, our politicians, our civic leaders and all those who have lived out the values of the Agreement.

I think of our victims – that we will find a way to bind up the wounds of the nation to build a peaceful future as a legacy to all who died.

I think of the incredible generation growing up in our home: the social entrepreneurs, young professionals, digital experts and ambitious business people. They are building our prosperity process – they understand their responsibility to give opportunity to all.

I think of our selfless philanthropists who have dedicated their passion, energy, time and money to build peace. I’m fortunate to be involved with The Ireland Funds who epitomise this dedication. 40 years: 3000 organisations committed to peace, reconciliation, sports, the arts and education supported by this innovative and dynamic organisation. Understanding that philanthropy equals progress.

It’s why this Thursday, as part of ‘Peace and Beyond’, every day peace builders will be celebrated across 7 venues with 30 organisations and 60 speakers . We will showcase just a snapshot of the thousands of inspiring, innovative and incredible people and organisations who day-in-day-out dedicate themselves to building peace and finding solutions to the complex issues we face.

These people and the thousands like them, represent my great hope for the place I am proud to call home. They represent the vision, courage, resilience and leadership that will continue our journey towards reconciliation.

In 2021, just 3 years from now, this island will begin a ‘second century’. For the Republic of Ireland: it will mark the second century of independence. For Northern Ireland: it will mark the second century of partition / the creation of the state of Northern Ireland.

I ask this question: by the end of the second century, what will we have achieved?

For me, the answer lies in the Agreement. New beginning; Fresh Start; Tolerance; Mutual Trust; Human Rights for All; Partnership; Equality; Mutual Respect; Exclusively Democratic & Peaceful Means; Good Faith; Reconciliation.

Let us take these ideals and realise them in a meaningful and inclusive way.

I believe the best way to answer this question is to ask the next generation. My two-year-old nephew Ollie will probably live to see the 22nd Century.

Therefore, we must have the courage, not to be bound by our own fixation of what the future might be. Rather to dare to ask: what kind of society do we want for our children.

We as a people have a unique opportunity in human history: to build upon our hard-earned peace, to reconcile and to re-imagine the potential of our relationships to build a home of hope.