LECTURE | 25th Anniversary of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement

Sunday, April 2, 2023, 1:00 p.m.

"25 Years Later: The Origins and Future of the Belfast Agreement

Sunday, April 02, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.

The Saint Andrews Society of Albany and The Albany Institute of History and Art come together to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in Northern Ireland and honor the late Lord David Trimble, a key architect and advocate in writing this important peace agreement who passed away unexpectedly in July 2022. April 10, 2023, marks the 25th anniversary of the signing of this groundbreaking treatise for peace. With deep British, Irish, and American cooperation underpinning this achievement,  the timely anniversary presents an opportunity for reflection on the origins of this success story, as well as an eye to the future with a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape in the EU and UK after Brexit.

On Sunday, April 02, the Saint Andrews Society of Albany and The Albany Institute of History and Art will present Steve Aiken, OBE as a keynote speaker and host a roundtable discussion to reflect on the impact that the Agreement has had on life in Northern Ireland, the US involvement in this arrangement, and the future of the Agreement for all who live there in the era of Brexit. Additionally, recognition will be paid to Lord David Trimble, the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party during the Belfast Agreement negotiations, and the role he played in cementing this landmark treaty.

Steve Aiken-Key Note Speaker

Steve was elected to the Assembly in 2016 and works faithfully for all residents in South Antrim. Steve is Chairperson of the NIA Committee for Finance, and Chairs the All-party Groups for Ethnic Minorities and STEM.

Steve served as Party Leader from 2019-2021, sits on the British Irish Parliamentary Association and is a board member of Christian Aid Ireland.

Steve is a proud Royal Navy veteran (submarine commander), grandfather and father of four girls. An alumni of Belfast High School, he holds an MPhil and PhD in International Relations from the University of Cambridge (Queens' College) with additional qualifications from the Open University and King's College, London.

This history-making achievement ended 30 years of conflict in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles. 25 years on, Northern Ireland has made significant progress toward greater prosperity, and a safer and more inclusive society.

From the creation of a devolved government to protecting the rights of citizens, the Agreement has provided a framework for Northern Ireland’s remarkable transformation over the last 25 years.

A quarter of a century on from the signing of the Agreement, the journey of peace and prosperity continues today - as does the UK Government’s commitment to creating a bright, positive future for all citizens of Northern Ireland.

Lord David Trimble: key architect of Good Friday Agreement

A lawyer by training, known as shy and determined if sometimes prickly and with a ferocious temper, Lord Trimble called the Good Friday Agreement — which marks its 25th anniversary next April — “the greatest thing in my life”.

The accord ended three decades of conflict in Northern Ireland by nationalist paramilitaries fighting to end British rule and loyalist gunmen battling to keep the region part of the UK.