CENTRE FOR DEMOCRACY AND PEACE BUILDING ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2023 DEMOCRACYANDPEACE.ORG *Limited Edition Charity Prints available at **fgb.bigcartel.com** 100% profits go to the International Red Cross Disaster Emergency Committee 03 ## Annual Report 2022 – 2023 04 Chair’s Remarks 06 Acknowledgments 07 About CDPB 08 Directors and Executive Team 09 Projects and Highlights 25 Contact Details Front cover: **Reconciliation** (originally named Reunion) is a sculpture by Josefina de Vasconcellos. Bronze casts of this sculpture can be found in Coventry, Hiroshima, Berlin and Stormont. _Photo by Neil Harrison._ 04 ## Chair’s Remarks This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in N Ireland/Ireland, which was been celebrated by the visitations and addresses by current and former Presidents of the United States of America, current and former Prime Ministers of the UK, current and former Taoisigh of the Republic of Ireland and the President of the European Commission. Notwithstanding the important events that have taken place earlier this year, it is important to remember that democracy, reconciliation and peacebuilding is an ongoing daily process and not an one off event. In that respect I hope that peace efforts here in N Ireland will continue to bear fruit which will reflect unity in diversity in all aspects of our lives, and in our institutions of government, which I hope can be restored shortly. As we mark this important anniversary on the island of Ireland, there has never been a greater need across the world for people to work for democracy and reconciliation and to continuously participate in peacebuilding. We have witnessed ongoing terror and violence in Ukraine and a war waged against innocent people and democratic political institutions. Only lately, we have seen the horrors of terrorism and violence in Sudan and Yemen. All the violence perpetrated against communities and people is underlining the compelling imperative and importance of the ongoing process of democracy and peacebuilding. Centre for Democracy and Peace Building continues to be involved in important work in supporting current and future leaders. Our work encompasses the important Fellowship programme, which is aimed at political, business and civic leaders in Northern Ireland who were and will continue to be involved in paving a new, prosperous future for our region. This flagship programme is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin, Allstate NI, Devenish, FinTrU, Fujitsu NI, Ulster Carpets, the Irish American Partnership and our new partner Norther Ireland Electricity Networks. Other important work includes the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement Course, Leadership in Arts and Culture, Re-thinking Leadership series, collaborative work with the UME Oleander Initiative programmes in Japan and the partnership with the John Smith Trust. 05 ## Chair’s Remarks continued All this work is carried out under the strategic direction of our Board – of which I am proud to be Chair along with my director colleagues, and the dynamic work of Eva Grosman who is our Chief Executive. Eva is a powerhouse and has provided dynamic leadership in these islands in terms of peacebuilding and democracy. We and the wider community owe Eva an enormous debt of gratitude and heartfelt thanks. I hope to continue to work with Eva, her team and our directors to ensure that the objectives of the organisation can continue to be fulfilled – particularly as we move on from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also owe a debt of gratitude to many business leaders and academics who have supported our mission and peacebuilding work over several years. Such combined efforts are vitally important in working towards fulfilling our commitments to democracy and peacebuilding locally and internationally. _Baroness Margaret Ritchie of Downpatrick_ 06 ## Acknowledgments Our work would not be possible without assistance from many public, private and community partners. We are truly grateful for all the support. ## **Special thanks to:** Allstate Northern Ireland Bank of Ireland Bauer Media NI Boston College Ireland Brown O’Connor Communications Community Relationship Council Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Republic of Ireland Devenish Dormant Accounts Fund NI FinTrU Fujitsu NI Herbert Smith and Freehills Irish American Partnership John Smith Trust Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Polish Cultural Institute in London PSNI Royal Irish Academy Smarts Ulster Carpets Ulster University 07 ## About CDPB The Centre for Democracy and Peace Building (CDPB) is a charity based in Northern Ireland. Its purpose is to uphold and share the values and principles of democracy in order to build peace, stability and reconciliation. The Centre is committed to supporting the peace process; changing attitudes; building a normal society and sharing our experience with others in conflict. The Centre’s mission is to provide innovative programmes and solutions, based on lessons from the Irish peace process, that enable civic leaders to respond effectively to social, political, and economic challenges across the globe. The charitable objectives of the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building are: **the advancement of citizenship and community** development by upholding and sharing the values and principles of democracy in order to build peace, stability and reconciliation; and to support leadership within civil society and political parties to address grievances and to build confidence in political institutions; **the advancement of human rights,** conflict resolution or reconciliation by the removal of fear from and to offer hope to divided communities and to create a society with a shared sense of responsibility, opportunity, community and above all a shared sense of humanity, based upon respect for and tolerance of diversity; and to empower and enable communities to develop bespoke solutions that address and remove the causes of division and violent conflict; **the advancement of education** by providing a knowledge exchange platform in democracy and peace building to facilitate research and discussion in partnership with government and civil society on the development and implementation of policies and programmes that build a shared and united community; to host a fellowship programme to pass on learning from the peace process generation to future leaders; and to capture and document the lessons and experiences from Northern Ireland and other places which have experienced violent political conflicts. 08 ## Directors and Executive Team Chairman Emeritus The Lord Alderdice CEO and Company Secretary Eva Grosman ## Chair Baroness Margaret Ritchie ## Directors Sir Jeffrey Donaldson Chris Maccabe CB Niall Johnston ## Senior Advisors Programme Manager Zachary Hutchinson Website & Graphic Designer Irka Laskowska Stacy King Sinead O’Sullivan ## Fellowship Advisory Board John Healy (Chair) Karise Hutchinson, Professor of Leadership, Ulster University (Vice Chair) Darragh McCarthy, CEO, FinTrU David Clements, Managing Director, Fujitsu NI Nick Coburn, Managing Director, Ulster Carpets Owen Brennan, Chairman, Devenish vts V4 PQOJECTS ANO NIGHLIGNTS 4YES 10 ## Fellowship Programme for political, business and civic leaders in Northern Ireland This year’s Fellowship Programme brought together leaders from business, civic, and political backgrounds to reimagine and pave a new, prosperous future for Northern Ireland. The programme was incredibly successful, ensuring leaders across society were strengthened and equipped to navigate the next twenty-five years for the benefit of all. Working with key stakeholders, policy makers, and facilitators from leading academic institutions including the University of Oxford, the programme included residentials in Oxford and Dublin, media training with Bauer Media NI, conflict management with the PSNI and curated sessions led by the advisory board. ## Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office, Steve Baker MP, said: _“I wish to extend my congratulations to the Fellows who have graduated from this inspiring Fellowship. As Northern Ireland marks 25 years of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, a programme like this is testament to the determination and innovative spirit of the people of Northern Ireland. A programme that brings together a diverse range of people to work through opposing views, propose shared solutions, and imagine the kind of leadership required to move forward, is incredibly heartening. I would like to thank both the Fellows and the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building for their hard work, and I wish them all the best of luck for their future endeavours.”_ ## Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minster for Defence, Micheál Martin TD said: _“I would like to extend my congratulations to the Fellows who have graduated today. I am glad that my government, through the Reconciliation Fund, has been able to support this important work. As we mark the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in a number of weeks, it is important to recognise the work that programmes such as the Fellowship have achieved in helping to train and educate the next generation of civic leaders.I wish the class of 2023 all the best over the coming months and years as they work to help foster change and transform their local communities.”_ The programme was supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Allstate NI, Devenish, FinTrU, Fujitsu NI, Ulster Carpets and the Irish American Partnership. For more information please visit fellowship.democracyandpeace.org Fellowship Programme for political and civic leaders in Northern Ireland ffj.ffj,W IgbllllLIJ J i A• Ir **----- Start of picture text -----**
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**„** ## **„** ## _… the spirit of possibility…_ _Is vital for all parts of Northern Ireland’s system to work together as a whole._ _There is little recognition of this and few opportunities for the key players In the disparate parts of our system To interact in any meaningful ways._ _This programme provides that._ _… my passion and drive for transformative leadership has been enhanced and reinvigorated._ _The programme has broadened my understanding of what leading with integrity and dignity entails._ _I have learned that effective leadership can produce endless possibilities._ 13 ## Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement Course CDPB has developed a Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement course with support from Dormant Accounts NI. The course introduces the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement — its historical context, the negotiation process from which it emerged, its substance and implementation. Students from across the world who take the course will explore the Agreement’s successes, failures and lessons, twenty-five years after this landmark moment in British-Irish history. The course was created by Mark Devenport (former political editor for BBCNI and BBC UN correspondent), Professor Peter Shirlow (director of University of Liverpool’s Institute of Irish Studies), and the late Dr William Beattie Smith (former civil servant, public policy analyst and writer). It features thirteen interactive online lessons across four modules and immerses its students in one of the world’s most renowned peace processes. For more information please visit: gfa.democracyandpeace.org. 14 ## Leadership in Arts and Culture CDPB in partnership with the Polish Cultural Institute in London delivered a series of programmes and residential sessions in London and Oxford to explore how international cultural cooperation and diplomacy work in practice and to strengthen Polish-British cultural relations. Twenty-four directors and curators from the leading cultural and arts organisations in Poland had an opportunity to engage with the world’s leading institutions including: the Victoria and Albert Museum, the National Gallery, Dulwich Picture Gallery, the William Morris Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, Tate Modern, Houses of Parliament, the Ashmolean Museum, Bodleian Libraries and engaged with colleagues from the British Council. 16 ## TEDxStormont TEDxStormont returned to Parliament Buildings on Saturday 25th March 2023 for its 10th anniversary event. Speaking on the theme of “YES”, a superb line up of speakers including Northern-Irish-Ghanian music artist Winnie Ama, Sky News Ireland Correspondent David Blevins, Senator Emer Currie, and journalist and author Leona O’Neill, took to the stage to share their ideas on hope, peace, stability, and possibility for Northern Ireland and beyond. The daylong event, supported by Herbert Smith Freehills, Allstate NI, and Smarts, and compered by former political editor for BBCNI and BBC UN correspondent Mark Devenport, saw 200 guests fill the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings. As TEDxStormont celebrated its 10th anniversary and Northern Ireland celebrated 25 years of the Belfast/ Good Friday Agreement, speakers stood on the iconic red dot to share their ideas on a multitude of topics ranging from homelessness and leadership to life after death, and the power of music. TEDxStormont 2023 speakers included: ## Darragh McCarthy – CEO, FinTrU David Blevins – Sky News’ Senior Ireland Correspondent Emer Currie – Senator and Spokesperson for NI, Special Education and Inclusion Janina Ramirez – historian, documentary maker and author Jim Dennison – Chief Executive of the Simon Community NI Joan Mulloy – Irish solo sailor Karise Hutchinson – professor of leadership Leona O’Neill – academic, former journalist, author Lisa Strutt – leadership coach, co-founder, trustee Matthew McEIhinney – a theatre director, a football fan and a child of the peace process Patrick Dexter – globally-renowned cellist Peter Corry – musician, performer, producer Tom Fletcher – Principal of Hertford College, Oxford University, diplomat and ## author Winne Ama – Northern-Irish-Ghanian artist TEDX Stormont raYES raYES 18 ## Re-thinking Leadership Building up on the success of Re-thinking Solidarity series, CDPB partnered with the Two Wings Institute to deliver 6 seminars in Harris Manchester College Oxford, focussing on models of leadership that address the most pressing challenges of our time, including war in Ukraine. The six seminars included: Spiritual Leadership in the Time of War. Beyond ‘Balance of Power’ – Diplomacy for Freedom of Religion and Belief. The War of Memories: Leadership and European Politics of Memory. Therapy at War: How can we heal the heart of conflict? The Burden of Memory: How can we build solidarity when our memories clash? Cultural Diplomacy: Revealing the Soul of Nations. The series were organised by the Two Wings Institute in partnership with the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building, Oxford Centre for the Resolution of Intractable Conflict, Oxford _Polish Association, the Polish Cultural Institute in London and supported by the Polish National Foundation._ L.J Jjtll 20 ## Colombia CDPB continues to engage with colleagues in Colombia and share lessons of the Irish peace process with politicians and members of the wider civic society. CDPP was represented at the Annual Meeting of the Integrated Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Training Group (IDDRTG) in Bogota and Cali on the invitation of Mr Andres Stapper, Director of the Agency for Reincorporation and Normalization of Colombia (ARN), who visited Northern Ireland last year. The meeting provided opportunity to engaged with peace-builders across the globe and to learn about the implementation of the Colombian peace agreement during the site visits. In addition, CDPB helped to facilitate visit of the delegation from the Colombian Senate to Northern Ireland and remains in regular contact with the Colombian diplomats in London. 22 ## Japan In February 2023 delegates from Northern Ireland, Oxford and New York gathered in Hiroshima, Japan, to embark on a six day exploration of the city that suffered the horrors and destruction of the atomic bomb on 6 August 1945. At the heart of CDPB’s collaboration with the UME Oleander Initiative programme was the intersection of public space, art and historical memory, with the guiding question for the five days: what lessons from Hiroshima can be applied to your own context? The delegation toured the city and world-renowned Peace Park and museum as well as attending meetings with city officials, the museum curator, and a survivor of the atomic bomb. The group, led by the Oleander team, were also able to engage with some of the local Hiroshima peace building community, learning and sharing experiences from each other’s contexts. An impactful and exciting programme that underpinned Northern Ireland’s unique connection with Hiroshima, CDPB hopes it will be the first of many collaborative opportunities between CDPB and the UME Oleander Initiative. 23 ## John Smith Trust Partnership CDPB was delighted to partner with the John Smith Trust to deliver Ideas Exchange programme in Oxford. John Smith Fellows from across Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia gather to rethink governance and leadership in the context of ongoing global crises. Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine is likely to define the strategic and economic contours of the coming decades and will have a fundamental impact on global security, governance and development. Twenty-eight Fellows from 11 countries joined an Ideas Exchange in Oxford (UK) at the end of March to share insights, expertise and experience on these themes. Over the course of four days of workshops, presentations and roundtable discussions, they discussed what leadership and better governance means in their countries and region during this time of insecurity and conflict and looking forwards. At the heart of the Ideas Exchange was an emphasis on listening to each other’s perspectives and learning from each other, and Fellows shared their ideas and experience generously. Learn more about John Smith Trust at: johnsmithtrust.org iè Jo￿1 WTH TRUSI • *r' 25 ## CONTACT DETAILS Centre for Democracy and Peace Building is a company registered by guarantee in Northern Ireland NI623554. Northern Ireland Charity number: NIC108448 ## **Registered office:** Centre for Democracy and Peace Building c/o K Magill and Company 2 Church Street Ballygawley BT70 2HB Northern Ireland ## **Office address:** Centre for Democracy and Peace Building Blick Studios 42 Hill Street Belfast BT1 2LB Northern Ireland **E:** info@democracyandpeace.co.uk **W:** www.democracyandpeace.org **@CDPB_NI** **@DemocracyandPeaceNI** **Centre for Democracy and Peace Building** CENTRE FOR DEMOCRACY AND PEACE BUILDING