A conference to open the debate
With plenaries, seminars and discussions
About the conference
The peace process and the Good Friday Agreement — supported by the overwhelming majority of people in Ireland, north and south, and in Britain, has positively transformed the situation in Ireland, and the relationship between Britain and Ireland.
A far reaching agreement which has led to historic power sharing in the north of Ireland and clear mechanisms for ensuring equality, rights and parity of esteem, the Good Friday Agreement also enshrines the principle of self-determination, including the provision for a possible constitutional route to a united Ireland. For the first time ever the British government are signed up to such a commitment, should a majority in Ireland wish it. Together with economic, demographic, social and political trends, there is a strong argument that Irish unity is a realistic and feasible objective within a meaningful time scale.
The 20 February conference seeks to initiate a serious discussion around this, setting out the case for Irish unity and discussing the merits and arguments in important areas. Involving a wide range of people, including the Irish community, the political sphere, from business, the trade unions, academia, the media, arts and culture and others, it will put Irish unity on the agenda.
Different strands of society and opinion in Britain will come together to identify key issues and develop the debate, dealing with diverse fields of life which will be affected, such as the economy, tourism, culture, social justice, equality and inclusion, policing, international policy, constitutional mechanisms and issues, the media and the specific concerns of the Irish in Britain reaching back over many generations.
Irish unity is possible and on the agenda. This conference will be an important contribution to the debate.