Leading figures in bringing about peace in North to discuss how lessons can be applied elsewhere
FORMER TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern and former British prime minister Tony Blair are receiving honorary degrees from Queen’s University Belfast today as part of the two-day Mitchell Conference examining what lessons can be learned from the peace process.
Mr Ahern is to travel to Belfast this morning to receive a doctorate of law during the conference.
Mr Blair, who is unable to attend, will pay thanks for the tribute by video link.
The chancellor of the university and former US senator George Mitchell, who chaired the political peace agreement talks just over 10 years ago, and in whose honour the conference is named, will deliver the citation.
Mr Ahern and Mr Blair, both of whom were elected Irish and British leaders in 1997, are receiving the awards for their contribution to the peace process.
The Mitchell Conference, “Moving on from Conflict”, brings together a high-powered list of national and international speakers who will examine how the political transformation in Northern Ireland over the last 10 years can inspire and be applied in other global conflict zones.
It begins this morning ahead of the special graduation with former first minister David Trimble and former deputy first minister Séamus Mallon reflecting on how peace was achieved.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, and Northern Secretary Shaun Woodward will look to the political future, while former president Mary Robinson will speak on conflict resolution.
PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde will discuss policing, while representatives from most of the political parties in the North, including the DUP, which opposed the Belfast Agreement, will hold a roundtable talk on implementing peace.
Other speakers over today and tomorrow include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, historians Lord Bew and Prof Brendan O’Leary, former police ombudsman Nuala O’Loan, Prof Monica McWilliams of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, and former Irish Times journalist Conor O’Clery.
Speaking last night at a memorial event for the late David Ervine, Mr Mitchell described the former loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force member as an example of the power of redemption.
Mr Ervine was an inspiration in turning his focus to politics and helping the North emerge from 30 years of violence, Mr Mitchell added.
Mr Ervine died last year and Mr Mitchell paid tribute to his memory.
“He represented evidence or proof of the power of redemption. He was a great man but not a saint,” the former US senator said.
“He made mistakes and became involved in violence early on.
“We are all human and all make mistakes but we all don’t learn from them.
“David Ervine did, and he came out of prison determined to do something to promote peace and reconciliation, and he did,” said Mr Mitchell.
Earlier, Gen John De Chastelain told the conference that handing over weapons should be the next step for the Ulster Volunteer Force.
The loyalist group’s ceasefire was recognised by the Northern Ireland Office earlier this month but Gen De Chastelain warned that more work needed to be done.
His Independent International Commission on Decommissioning had been talking with the paramilitary group, he said.
“We have been working with both the Ulster Volunteer Force and the Ulster Defence Association over the past number of months and we still are.
“It would be nice to expect that that would be the next step, but we are working with both organisations.”
Other guests at last night’s function included former loyalist figure Gusty Spence.
