| Event Date: 30 October 2009 | |
| The Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh in association with the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for International Study & Congressman Tim Murphy presents AForum on the Northern Ireland Conflict: Where We Are, and Where We’re Going Friday October 30, 2009 5:00pm 120 David Lawrence Hall, University of Pittsburgh, Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA15213 FREE ADMISSION A Forum on the Northern Ireland Conflict The Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh, celebrating 20 years of service, reflects on the progress & problems that face the North of Ireland, a province of Britain. Learn about the personal & professional journeys of two extraordinary women leaders from both sides of the political divide: - Dawn Purvis, Leader, Progressive Unionist Party - Rita O’Hare, Friends of Sinn Fein. Their perspectives will enlighten and inform. Also participating is US Congressman Tim Murphy, minority-ranking member of the Congressional Friends of Ireland. Hear the Panel reflect on: · “The Troubles” · the segregated communities of Northern Ireland & the border counties of the Republic · efforts of cross-community outreach · the 1998 Good Friday Agreement · the role of Paramilitaries, then & now · the current situation, and · the way forward Program 5:00-5:15pm Northern Ireland: The Last 30 Years: Presentation by Dr. Tony Novosel, Professor of Irish History, University of Pittsburgh 5:15-6:15pm Panel discussion between Ms. Purvis, Ms. O’Hare, and Congressman Murphy facilitated by Dr. Novosel 6:15-6:30pm Question time About the speakers Dawn Purvis is the leader of the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) in Northern Ireland. Born in the Donegall Pass area of Belfast, Purvis joined the PUP in 1994 and became the party’s Spokesperson on Women's Affairs in 1999. In 2006, Purvis’ appointed to the Northern Ireland Policing Board drew criticism from the Democratic Unionist Party, due to the PUP's links with the paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force. In 2007, Purvis succeeded the late David Ervine as party leader and MLA for Belfast East. She works tirelessly to rebuild and continue to serve working class loyalist and unionist communities. Rita O'Hare is the General Secretary of Sinn Féin and the current Sinn Féin Representative to the United States (since 1998). She was born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She was involved in the Civil Rights campaign and later became a republican. She has served as editor of the Irish republican newspaper “An Phoblacht”. She was also Director of Publicity for Sinn Féin. As the party’s representative to the US, Rita engages with Irish American organizations, US Congressmen, and other leaders to promote Irish Republicanism. Congressman Tim Murphy is now serving his fourth term in Congress representing the 18th District of Pennsylvania., encompassing the South Hills of Pittsburgh and portions of Washington & Westmoreland counties. As ranking member of the Congressional friends of Ireland, Murphy advocates for the welfare of all the people of Ireland, North & South. His commitment to peace, reconciliation, and the US-Ireland relationship are well documented in Washington & in Pittsburgh. Dr. Tony Novosel has taught History at the University of Pittsburgh since 1990. In 2004, Tony designed and now teaches a course on Conflict in Northern Ireland, focusing on the years 1969-1994. He has traveled to Northern Ireland regularly since 1974 and conducted work with statutory agencies and organizations representing both unionist and nationalist communities in Belfast. His current research work focuses on the political thinking of the Ulster Volunteer Force & the Red Hand Commando and their political representatives between 1972-1982. Sponsors Congressional Friends of Ireland The Congressional Friends of Ireland is dedicated to maintaining a United States policy that promotes a just, lasting, and peaceful settlement of the conflict that has cost thousands of lives during the Troubles. The Congressional Friends of Ireland played a significant role in the Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985, the International Fund for Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, and continues to support programs committed to those noble objectives. University of Pittsburgh’s Center for International Studies In 1968, the University Center for International Studies (UCIS) was created as the University of Pittsburgh’s encompassing framework for all its multidisciplinary international programs. UCIS is a University-wide matrix organization that encompasses centers for area studies and centers on topical specializations in international studies. It coordinates international education curricula & provides support services such as the Study Abroad Program. Its mission is to integrate and reinforce all the strands of international scholarship in the University in research, teaching and public service. University of Pittsburgh’s Dept. of History The History Department at the University of Pittsburgh enjoys an international reputation and attracts both national and international students. It offers a wide range of courses covering Atlantic history, African history, race and ethnicity, nationalism, military history, Native Americans, gender and sexuality, urban history, women's history, law, and intellectual history. Working-class, social, and political history, fields to which Pitt made pioneering contributions beginning in the 1960s, continue to be important areas of faculty and student interest. The Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh The Ireland Institute is a change-oriented organization. Recognizing the political, economic, and social conditions in Northern Ireland and Ireland, the Institute commits itself to realistic strategies that promote mutual understanding between the Catholic and Protestant communities in Northern Ireland and job creation throughout all of Ireland. Mission: To promote mutual understanding of the Catholic and Protestant traditions in Northern Ireland and economic development throughout all of Ireland. The Institute fulfills its mission by providing quality programs in job training, economic development, leadership development, educational alliances & reconciliation. The IIP is a change-oriented organization that collaborates with industry, educational & government institutions in the development of programs. For more information, contact the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh on 412-394-3900 |
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Website dedicated to the memory of former Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh Board Member, John Kirkwood, his generosity made this site possible. May he rest in peace |
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