CCBS 20th Anniversary Conference

20 Sep 2019

The Good Friday / Belfast Agreement; reflecting on a 20 year journey of cross-border cooperation and plotting the path to a successful future

The Centre for Cross Border Studies (CCBS) marked its 20th Anniversary with a special celebratory conference in Dundalk on Friday 20th September. This special conference explored if the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement has fostered growth and improved relations between and within these islands.

Conference speakers

Dr Nicola Bradley,

General Secretary, Irish Council of Churches

Jess Sargeant,

Senior Researcher. Institute for Government

Kate Clifford

Centre for Cross Border Studies

Dr Nicola Bradley,

General Secretary, Irish Council of Churches

Jess Sargeant,

Senior Researcher. Institute for Government

Kate Clifford

Centre for Cross Border Studies

Supporters of the conference

Conference timeline

Dr Helen Johnston, Chair,

Centre for Cross Border Studies

9:00 am

1. Welcome

The event began with Dr Helen Johnston, Chair of the Centre for Border Studies’ Board, who welcomed the audience of over 150 delegates and made special mention of thanks for the continued support of the Irish Government, and namely the Department of Education and Skills through its provision of core funding, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Reconciliation Fund, which has supported a number of CCBS’s projects.

Dr Anthony Soares, Acting Director,

Centre for Cross Border Studies

9:15 am

In his opening remarks, Dr Anthony Soares, Acting Director CCBS, reflected upon the origins of the Centre, from its creation in 1999 to promote, support and
advocate for improved Cross Border and North/South cooperation in line with Strand Two of the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement, to its current work which includes its flagship project, Border People, and acknowledged that this would not be possible without the continuedsupport of the Irish government.

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