Forum for Cities in Transition : 4.16.09

Click photo to send as an ecard!

• more info on event >

The American Ireland Fund and its partner the Moakley Chair for Peace and Reconciliation at UMass Boston hosted a three-day Forum for Cities in Transition on April 16. Representatives from Northern Ireland convened with on-the-ground leaders from various cities around the world that are or have been at the center of conflict. Delegates from Kirkuk (Iraq), Nicosia (Cyprus), Mitrovica (Kosovo), Mitrovica  (Serbia), Derry/Londonderry and Belfast were in attendance.

The Forum was an initiative of Prof. Padraig O'Malley who is based here in Boston.  He played an important role in the dialogue behind Northern Ireland’s Peace Process and is now applying the lessons of the Troubles to other areas of conflict around the world. The goal of the Conference was to establish an ongoing Forum for Cities in Transition and of the final day of the Conference the delegates from Mitrovica in an amazing display of unity and harmony agreed to host the next year’s Forum in Kosovo.

On Tuesday evening, April 14th, Steve Greeley, Executive Director of The American Ireland Fund, addressed the delegates at a reception hosted by Mayor Thomas Menino at the Parkman House.

Photos
1 - Director of the Northern Ireland Foundation Allan Leonard, AIF Executive Director Steve Greeley, Congressman Bill Delahunt