News – Centre for Democracy and Peace Building

Fellowship Project Calls for Action on Abuse of Political Candidates in Northern Ireland

March 12, 2025/in CDPB, Fellowship, News /by admin

A group of leaders from the Centre for Democracy and Peace’s Fellowship Programme have designed a new initiative tackling the abuse and intimidation faced by political candidates in Northern Ireland. As part of the programme’s design thinking module, the team explored real-life challenges and developed solutions aimed at fostering a safer and more inclusive political environment.

Backed by the Electoral Commission Northern Ireland, the project comes in response to alarming statistics: 71% of candidates in the 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election experienced abuse, threats, or intimidation. This rising hostility disproportionately affects women and ethnic minorities, discouraging individuals from standing for office and threatening the integrity of democracy itself.

During the project, Siobhán McAlister (SDLP) and Cllr Alan Lewis (DUP) shared deeply personal stories of abuse they have faced as political figures. Their experiences underscored the urgency of the issue, prompting other members of the Fellowship cohort to collectively seek out innovative solutions.

The Design Thinking group has put forward a coordinated approach to combat abuse, including:

A public awareness campaign to challenge the normalisation of threats and harassment.

Legislative measures to strengthen protections for candidates.

Education initiatives to promote respectful political discourse.

Cahir Hughes, Head of the Electoral Commission Northern Ireland and a 2024-25 Centre for Democracy and Peace (CDP) Fellow, emphasised the importance of action ahead of the 2027 elections:

“With two years until the next election, it’s crucial for political parties and civil society to work together to create an environment where healthy political engagement can thrive. We need to make Northern Ireland a safe place to run for office, free from intimidation. The Fellowship Programme has provided a unique platform to bring together insights from the political, business, and civic sectors to tackle this issue head-on.”

The project is part of CDP’s Fellowship Programme, which challenges Northern Irish leaders to tackle some of the region’s most pressing issues. This year’s cohort—the largest to date, with 28 leaders from business, politics, and civic society—has been working on a range of projects designed to generate tangible solutions for the future of Northern Ireland.

The Fellowship Programme is supported by Allstate NI, Camlin Group, FinTrU, Fujitsu NI, NIE Networks, and Ulster Carpets, along with the Irish Department for Foreign Affairs and the Irish American Partnership.

The 2024-25 Fellowship Programme will conclude with a graduation ceremony at Hillsborough Castle on Thursday, 3 April.

fellowship.democracyandpeace.org

Highlights from the Fellowship Dublin residential

January 30, 2025/in CDPB, Fellowship, News /by Eva Grosman

It is just over one week since our Fellows concluded their second programme residential in Dublin. We want to take this moment to showcase what our Fellows got up to and to thank every facilitator and organisation that contributed during the residential. Enjoy!

Day 1

Fellows at the British Embassy, Dublin.

The Dublin residential got underway with a visit to the British Embassy. A huge thank you to Ambassador Paul Johnston, Deputy Head of Mission Elin Burns, Dr Harry O’Rahilly, and other Embassy colleagues for sharing their expertise and experience with our Fellows.

Following the visit to the British Embassy, we were kindly hosted ESB Networks for a tour of their new headquarters and an insightful overview of their corporate strategy and reputation initiatives, including a wider discussion on net zero targets.

Day 1 ended with a viewing of How to Defuse a Bomb: The Project Children Story, the inspiring story of NYPD officer Denis Mulcahy, who co-founded Project Children in 1975 with his wife, Pat. The charity provided six-week summer respites for over 23,000 Catholic and Protestant children from Northern Ireland amidst the violence of The Troubles.

Day 2

Fellows during a session at IMMA.

Day 2 of the Dublin residential brought us to the iconic Royal Hospital Kilmainham, where we were warmly hosted by the IMMA team. Our Fellows had the privilege of exploring the Take a Breath exhibition and engaging in conversation with artist and filmmaker Helen Flanagan on the powerful role of the arts in addressing social issues. The day began with an insightful discussion on strategic leadership led by Ciarán Ó Cuinn, drawing from his extensive experience in the Middle East. Dr Elizabeth Welty concluded our time in Dublin 8 with a valuable workshop on breathing techniques for clarity and confidence.

The day concluded with colleagues from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Shared Island Unit. Fellows engaged with officials on a range of issues focused on North/South cooperation. We are truly grateful for the vital support of the Department’s Reconciliation Fund that makes the work and impact of the Fellowship Programme possible.

Day 3

Fellows receive a tour of Bank of Ireland College Green.

Fellows wrapped up the 2025 Fellowship Dublin residential with visits to Trinity College Dublin and Bank of Ireland HQ, focusing on British-Irish & North/South relations. A huge thank you to Dr David Mitchell, Prof Etain Tannam and Dr Gillian Wylie for hosting us at TCD and facilitating fascinating conversations alongside the inspirational Tim O’Connor.

We’re also grateful to Gillian Orr and the team at Bank of Ireland for giving us a tour of the spectacular College Green building and presenting on their work across these isles.

Fellows attend the Oxford residential in 2024.

A year in review: CDP in 2024

December 30, 2024/in CDPB, News /by Eva Grosman

As 2024 comes to a close, we want to take this moment to thank all of our partners, colleagues, and members who make the work of CDP possible. We are truly grateful for your continued support!

In this article, we want to share some of our highlights from 2024. Enjoy!

The CDP team

Fellowship Programme

Fellows attend Climate and Sustainability session.

Fellowship partners with CEO Eva Grosman and First and deputy First Minister.

Fellows attend the Oxford residential in 2024.

The Class of 2024 pose for a photo at graduation in Hillsborough Castle.

In 2024, the Fellowship Programme continued to thrive, highlighted by our exceptional Fellows and notable residentials in Dublin and Oxford.

In April, we proudly celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2024 at Hillsborough Castle. Following a well-deserved break, we began the 2024/25 application process, receiving a record number of applications. In September, we launched the Class of 2025 at Stormont alongside the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

Overall, this year’s two cohorts engaged with topics led by world-class experts, including entrepreneurial leadership, systems thinking, climate and sustainability, and policy and governance. They also cultivated cross-sectoral relationships, essential for ensuring Northern Ireland’s prosperous future.

The success of the Fellowship Programme would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors and partners: the Department for Foreign Affairs, Irish American Partnership, Allstate NI, Camlin Group, FinTrU, Fujitsu NI, NIE Networks, and Ulster Carpets.

We are looking forward to what is in store for the 2024/25 cohort and the wider alumni network in 2025!

To discover more about the Fellowship, visit our website.

TEDxStormont 2024

TEDxStormont speaker in the Great Hall, Stormont.

THE CDP and Brown O’Connor team.

On 20 January, TEDxStormont returned to the Great Hall in Parliament Buildings. The day was a roaring success with many thought-provoking and inspiring talks on this year’s theme of Restore.

A jam-packed audience of over 175 people were treated to a diverse range of talks from experts in their field as well as musical performances. Video recordings of the talks are now available on YouTube.

To read more about the day, click here.

John Smith Trust Fellows

JST Fellows meet with Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron.

In March, the CDP team were honoured to work with the John Smith Trust’s Belarusian Fellows to facilitate a trip to London and Oxford.

Cultural diplomacy in 2024

Delegates visit the Take a Breath exhibition at IMMA.

Speakers Q&A at the ‘Cultural Diplomacy and the Art of Soft Power’ seminar in Belfast.

In March, as part of Imagine! Belfast, CDP proudly hosted the seminar, Cultural Diplomacy and the Art of Soft Power, on March 21st at the Black Box. Click here to learn more.

We teamed up with the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) in June to explore the theme of breathing space. Building upon IMMA’s new exhibition Take a Breath as a foundation, alongside focusing on aspects of IMMA’s Collections and Archives, attendees explored the event’s theme as well as engaging in dialogue and the sharing of practice and ideas. We are truly thankful for the support of the Shared Island Civic Society Fund and we are excited to continue our relationship with IMMA.

CRIC 2024

CEO Eva Grosman presents at CRIC 2024.

After the Fellowship’s Oxford residential, we were delighted to help our chairman emeritus Lord Alderdice organise this year’s CRIC conference.

CEO Eva Grosman gave a sobering yet powerful presentation on ending wars in light of what the late Polish philosopher Zygmunt Bauman described as liquid times: living in an age of uncertainty.

Congratulations to Lord Alderdice for organising another year of CRIC, a vital gathering for honest discussion and engagement.

Climate Democracy seminar

Speakers at the Climate Democracy seminar.

In October, CDP were delighted to host the Agriculture, Land Use, and Climate Democracy seminar at The MAC, Belfast. The day was filled with thought-provoking discussions on the future of climate action and policy innovation.

A special thanks to all our speakers for sharing their expertise and experience. We look forward to building on these conversations to see constructive action on issues that affect us all.

Teaching in Rome

Lord Alderdice, Eva Grosman (CEO), and Zachary Hutchinson (Programme Manager) at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.

We were honoured to be at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas – Angelicum in late October with Lord Alderdice to facilitate a discussion with students from the St John Paul II Institute of Culture on the role of religion and identity in conflict and peace, with special focus on Northern Ireland.

Thank you to the Institute for inviting us!

Thank you!

Once again, thank you to all of our partners, colleagues, and members for your support in 2024. See you in 2025!

Jadwiga: Europe’s Female King at the Frontline of History | 17 October | Weston Library, Oxford

September 16, 2024/in Blog, CDPB, News /by Eva Grosman

Join Professor Janina Ramirez to learn about the life, love and reign of the 14^th-century Polish royal Jadwiga – one of only two female kings in Europe.

This event is organised in collaboration between the Bodleian Libraries, the Centre for Democracy and Peace and the Polish Cultural Institute in London, to mark the inauguration of a Visiting Fellowship in Polish Studies at the Bodleian Libraries Special Collections.

Jadwiga: Europe’s Female King at the Frontline of History

17 October 2024 | 11.30am – 1pm
FREE, booking essential
Book HERE.

About Professor Janina Ramirez

Professor Janina Ramirez is a lecturer, researcher, author and broadcaster. She is Research Fellow in History of Art at Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, and Visiting Professor in Medieval Studies at the University of Lincoln. Her most recent book, ‘Femina: A New History of the Middle Ages Through the Women Written out of it’, was an instant Sunday Times number one best-seller, Waterstones Book of the Month and Book of the Year.

Janina is also an award-winning documentary-maker, with 15 years of writing and presenting for the BBC, Sky Arts and Arte. Her films include ‘The Search for the Lost Manuscript’, ‘Britain’s Millenium of Monasteries’, and ‘Chivalry and Betrayal: The Hundred Years War’. Her repeating series ‘Raiders of the Lost Past’ has included episodes on the Olmec Heads of Mexico, the Lion Man of Germany, and Tutankhamun in Egypt. She is a regular contributor to radio, having developed the series ‘Decoding the Masterworks’ and presenting for Front Row.

Janina has taught at York, Warwick and Winchester Universities, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and Oxford University. She has published extensively, including monographs on The Private Lives of Saints, Julian of Norwich and Beowulf. She has also written a series of children’s novels and non-fiction, including Goddesses in collaboration with the British Museum. Her forthcoming book, ‘Legenda: A New History of Nation Building Through the Women at the Heart of It’, is due for release in July 2025 with Penguin-Random House.

Janina is a patron of many organisations, including NSEAD, the Stained Glass Society and Oxford Festival of the Arts, and an ambassador for the Centre for Peace Keeping and Democracy. She is Lifetime President of Gloucester History Festival, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Royal Society for the Arts.

Centre for Democracy and Peace Building Annual Report 2024

July 16, 2024/in CDPB, News /by admin

Chairperson’s Remarks

We find ourselves in a cultural moment of uncertainty as domestic and global challenges persist. Whether it is the cost of living crisis, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, or the war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, leadership is required more than ever and the importance of peace building critical. This year has been dubbed the year of voting, with more than two billion people heading to the polls in 2024. Quite simply, it is the biggest election year in history. And yet, democracy has never felt so fragile; it seems to be on the ballot itself.

Nevertheless, we have welcomed the restoration of the democratic institutions here in Northern Ireland, reminding the world of the imperfect Irish peace process; the hope it offers to peacebuilders around the globe and the potential it has to play a meaningful in peace processes that are yet to come to fruition.

The Centre for Democracy and Peace Building (CDPB) continues to be involved in vital work across these islands, most notably with the Fellowship Programme.

Now going into its fourth year, the Fellowship Programme has over seventy alumni, including Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald MLA, Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland Dorinnia Carville, and Jason Bunting, whose participation in the programme contributed to his enrolment at the prestigious Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. The Fellowship Programme invites twenty-four ambitious leaders on a seven month journey to reimagine and pave a new, prosperous future for Northern Ireland. The programme seeks to support the peace process, foster innovation and capacity building, and encourage collaborative decision-making so that leaders across society are strengthened and equipped to navigate complexity and deliver real change for the benefit of all. A special note of thanks must go to John Healy who stepped down as advisory board chair in March upon his appointment as chair of Invest NI. We are delighted to have CEO and Founder of FinTrU, Darragh McCarthy, assuming the role.

This year’s work also included the launch the Good Friday Agreement Online Course, the delivery of various cultural diplomacy symposiums, and our continued partnership with the John Smith Trust. We were also delighted to welcome Ciarán Ó Cuinn to the CDPB board. Ciarán is head of mission at MEDRC, the sole surviving institution of the multilateral Middle East peace process.

Baroness Margaret Ritchie of Downpatrick

Read the Report here

Breathing Space

June 10, 2024/in CDPB, News /by admin

A day of meeting, discussion and sharing of practice convened by the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building and Irish Museum of Modern Art.

Building upon IMMA’s new exhibition Take a Breath as a foundation, alongside focusing on aspects of IMMA’s Collections and Archives, the event will feature presentations and workshops exploring the theme of ‘breathing space.’ This gathering is intended to create space for dialogue and the sharing of practice and ideas. Namely, it is a coming together of key figures interested in exploring a conversation about our shared island with international representation.

This event is convened by the Centre for Democracy and Peace and the Irish Museum of Modern Art with support from the Shared Island Civic Society Fund.

More information including agenda to follow. Refreshments included.

Date and time
Friday, June 28 · 10:30am – 5pm GMT+1

Location
Irish Museum of Modern Art
Military Road D08 FW31 Dublin 8 Ireland

About this event
6 hours 30 minutes

Register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/breathing-space-tickets-920079451407

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An opportunity to reimagine leadership: Northern Irish leaders urged to apply for Fellowship

May 29, 2024/in CDPB, Fellowship, News /by admin

The Centre for Democracy and Peace Building has opened applications for its 2024/25 Fellowship Programme for leaders in politics, business, and civic society in Northern Ireland.

The Centre for Democracy and Peace Building has opened applications for its 2024/25 Fellowship Programme for leaders in politics, business, and civic society in Northern Ireland.

Now in its fourth year, the Fellowship Programme has over 70 alumni, including Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald MLA. It invites 24 ambitious leaders on a seven-month journey to reimagine and pave a new, prosperous future for Northern Ireland. The programme seeks to support the peace process, foster innovation and capacity building, and encourage collaborative decision-making so that leaders across society are strengthened and equipped to navigate complexity and deliver real change for the benefit of all.

The Fellowship Programme is supported by the Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Irish American Partnership, as well as some of Northern Ireland’s biggest employers including Allstate NI, Camlin Group, FinTrU, Fujitsu NI, NIE Networks and Ulster Carpets. The programme aims to support and equip participants to take on some of Northern Ireland’s most complex political, business, and civic challenges.

Through bespoke sessions delivered by leaders in the top of their field including Oxford academics and diplomats, Fellows are challenged to step outside of their comfort zone and harness the spirit of possibility, tackling important issues such as climate and energy, policy and governance as well as taking part in the popular residential sessions at the University of Oxford and in Dublin.

This year’s Fellowship Programme was launched by the First and deputy First Ministers and Fellowship Advisory Board Chair, Darragh McCarthy at Parliament Buildings.

They were joined by alumni from last year’s programme; Cheryl Brownlee MLA for East Antrim, Jason Bunting, Parliamentary Advisor to Sinéad McLaughlin MLA, Dorinnia Carville, Comptroller and Auditor General at the Northern Ireland Audit Office, Gareth Edwards, Vice President for Compliance at FinTrU, Deborah Erskine MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Róisín Wood, CEO of Community Foundation NI, Chloe Ferguson, President of the National Union of Students UK in Northern Ireland, Áine Murphy MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone and Amy Gribbon, Manager of Forthspring Inter Community Group.

Fellowship Advisory Board Chair, Darragh McCarthy, said:
“The Fellowship Programme speaks for itself as a fantastic platform for ambitious Northern Ireland leaders, as witnessed by the talented group of people at this year’s launch at Stormont and our partners are proud once again to support the scheme for another year. It is brilliant to have the support of the First and deputy First Ministers for this important programme, to recognise the potential in bringing these cohorts together to spark new conversations about the future of Northern Ireland. I look forward to seeing what unique and varied skills the next Fellows will bring and how they will shape each other for the better as leaders in society.”

Applications for the 2024/25 Fellowship Programme will close on Wednesday 19 June. To apply or to find out more, please email fellowship@democracyandpeace.org or visit: fellowship.democracyandpeace.org

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Fellowship 2023/24 Graduation

May 14, 2024/in CDPB, Fellowship, News /by admin

On Thursday 14th April, we were honoured to join our 2023/24 Fellows at Hillsborough Castle for their graduation ceremony.

On Thursday 14th April, we were honoured to join our 2023/24 Fellows at Hillsborough Castle for their graduation ceremony.

It was an evening of celebration, as we looked back on the Fellows’ meaningful and insightful contributions over the last year. It was heartwarming to see so many close relationships and connections made throughout the Fellowship which will continue to thrive in the future.

The CDPB team would like to personally congratulate all of the Fellows. We are humbled and inspired by your commitment to making change and we cannot wait to see the impact you will continue to make for all in Northern Ireland.

The Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London inspiring culture and international collaboration

April 18, 2024/in CDPB, News /by admin

The Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow is set to host an innovative seminar on “Collecting, Curating, Conservation and Collaboration” in partnership with the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London.

This landmark event, organised by the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building’s Cultural Diplomacy Programme and the Polish Cultural Institute in London, supported by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, under the Inspiring Culture programme, will bring together over seventy participants from various cultural institutions, including delegates from China and Ireland.

The V&A seminar is a part of the five-day study trip and will provide a unique platform for cultural exchange and knowledge-sharing, featuring visits to major Polish institutions and museums in Krakow and Warsaw. Participants will engage in insightful meetings with curators, artists, and designers, fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration within the global cultural community.

Led by a team from across the V&A, the seminar at the Wawel Royal Castle will offer a comprehensive overview of the museum’s working practices and future ambitions. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights into the lifecycle of museum objects, with a focus on 4 Cs: Collecting, Curating, Conservation and Collaboration. Additionally, the programme will highlight the V&A’s forthcoming major expansion in East London, with V&A East. V&A East is dedicated to creative opportunity and its power to bring change. Two free cultural destinations – V&A East Storehouse and Museum – will open on East Bank in 2025.

Professor Andrzej Betlej, Director of Wawel Royal Castle said:

“This seminar represents a significant milestone in fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange within the cultural sector. We are thrilled to partner with the V&A and other esteemed organisations to facilitate meaningful discussions and inspire new ideas that will shape the future of museums and cultural institutions worldwide.”

Through a combination of presentations, talks, and group activities, participants will have the opportunity to delve into the latest thinking in museum practice, explore innovative approaches to working with new and non-traditional objects and media, as well as learning about the power of collaborations with artists, creative practitioners, and audiences.

The V&A study visit is supported by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, under the Inspiring Culture programme. It has been developed in partnership between the Polish Cultural Institute in London, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building’s Cultural Diplomacy Programme.

Supported by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, under the Inspiring Culture programme

Cultural Diplomacy and the Art of Soft Power seminar proudly hosted by CDPB

April 10, 2024/in CDPB, News /by admin

As part of Imagine! Belfast, CDPB proudly hosted the seminar Cultural Diplomacy and the Art of Soft Power on March 21st at Black Box theatre in the heart of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter.

We were thrilled to be joined by keynote speaker Evgeniya Ravtsova, International Programmes Manager at Victoria and Albert Museum, whose speech on the museum’s unique history and role in cultural diplomacy and exchange, as well as the art of soft power, was riveting.
Our panel discussion was equally insightful, covering topics such as: future opportunities for cultural diplomacy; the influence of narratives of identity in cultural diplomacy; and, Ireland and Northern Ireland’s cultural diplomacy initiatives.

Thanks are owed to our brilliant panellists: Sheena Barrett, Head of Research and Learning at the Irish Museum of Modern Art; Dr. Kim-Marie Spence, Lecturer in Arts Management and Cultural Policy at Queen’s University Belfast; and Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen.