More than 120 civil society representatives from across the island of Ireland will participate in the latest event in the Shared Island Dialogue series this Thursday, 25th March 2021.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney TD will open the third Dialogue entitled, ‘Civil society – catalyst for connection and understanding on a shared island’.
Speaking ahead of the event Minister Coveney said:
Civil society and community engagement has always been central to progress, to better mutual understanding, and to the peace process on this island. Civil society can make an important contribution to the Shared Island initiative, as we work to realise the enormous possibility the Good Friday Agreement offers, to build a peaceful, prosperous, reconciled future for all on this island.
The online dialogue will consider the role of civil society cooperation in addressing shared challenges on the island now and in the years ahead and explore ways in which civil society could engage and work together more on the island on a shared future. It will also reflect on the recent experience of civil society campaigns working together to build consensus or understanding on key social and cultural issues.
Following the discussion with Minister Coveney, the dialogue will be shaped through two panel discussions with participation by civil society groups and representatives from all parts of the island.
The Dialogue series was launched by the Taoiseach in October 2020 as part of the Government’s Shared Island initiative, to foster constructive and inclusive dialogue on a shared future underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.
ENDS
Note to Editor:
Shared Island Dialogue series
• This Dialogue is the third online event convened as part of the Shared Island Dialogue series that was launched by the Taoiseach in October to foster constructive and inclusive civic dialogue with all communities and traditions on a shared future on the island, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.
• Content from the event will be posted on social media throughout the day by @merrionstreet and you can follow the discussion online using #SharedIsland.
• The Shared Island Dialogue series will continue in 2021 focusing on important issues for the future of the island, including health, education and economy, and on key civic provisions of the Good Friday Agreement, including on equality.
• The Dialogue series will contribute to the Government’s approach to the Shared Island initiative, complementing commissioned research to be published through this year and next, and the implementation of commitments on building a Shared Island that are set out in the Programme for Government.
• Strengthening social, economic and political links on the island and the promotion of all-island approaches to the strategic challenges facing Ireland, North and South are key objectives.
• The Shared Island Dialogues are being organised by the Shared Island unit in the Department of the Taoiseach in partnership with Government Departments. Today’s dialogue was delivered in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs.
• Further information on the Shared Island initiative, is at www.gov.ie/sharedisland and the Plenary sessions of the Shared Island Dialogues are being added at www.gov.ie/sharedisland/dialogues.