Minister Lawless attending events to mark anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement
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From: Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
- Published on: 15 April 2025
- Last updated on: 15 April 2025
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless will tomorrow address an event at Queen’s University Belfast honouring Senator George Mitchell’s pivotal role in the peace process, and marking 27 years since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.
The Minister will be speaking this evening at an event in Hillsborough Castle, hosted by Historic Royal Palaces with Queen’s University Belfast, to mark the importance North-South partnerships.
Minister Lawless said:
"I'd like to pay tribute to Senator George Mitchell, one of the greatest statesmen and political minds of modern times. I would like to express the most sincere thanks for all he did to deliver peace on this island.
"The theme of partnership is now very much interwoven in the relationship between peoples on both islands, but especially on the island of Ireland. Since my appointment as Minister, I am acutely aware of these relationships between our education systems. These are deep, long-standing professional and personal relations between academics and researchers.
"The Good Friday Agreement is a testament to the power of collaboration and courage. As we celebrate this anniversary, we must ensure that commitment to mutual respect and partnership will shape the future of all on this island.
"We have also seen new thinking and new ambition in advancing North-South relations through the Government’s Shared Island initiative. Shared Island is designed to harness the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement to enhance cooperation, connection and mutual understanding on the island of Ireland. It is a way of engaging with communities and traditions to build consensus around a shared future.
"We must never take the work of Senator Mitchell for granted. We all must continue to work hard to expand cooperation and build a more inclusive and prosperous future for all living on this island, as well as our nearest neighbour. The Good Friday Agreement must remain our compass."
At tomorrow’s event in Queen’s University Belfast, the Minister will address pupils from schools on both sides of the border, on their role in the future of sustaining peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland.