A conference on the EU and peace-building later today goes to the core of the late Pat Hume’s legacy, the foundation established in honour of the Derry woman and her Nobel laureate husband, has said.
Leading diplomats and academics will take part in the day-long workshop on “relationships on these islands: the European Union peacebuilding experience”. The workshop takes place live on Zoom and YouTube from 10am to 5pm and is organised by the John and Pat Hume Foundation in partnership with the Irish Association for Contemporary European Studies.
Launched following the death of John Hume last year, the Foundation is a cross community institution established to nurture Mrs and Mrs Hume’s legacy and to support “peaceful change-makers”.
Foundation chairman Sean Farren said today’s workshop was particularly important as it was taking place following Mrs Hume’s death at the age of 83 last week following a short illness.
“This has been a sad week with the loss of the wonderful loving and generous Pat Hume,” Dr Farren said.
The former SDLP Stormont minister said it was important that the Foundation bore the name of both Mr and Mrs Hume. Both were heavily inspired by the European Union as the “best example in history of the world of conflict resolution”.
“Pat Hume encouraged us to put reconciliation at the centre of the Hume Foundation activities. With her passing, we renew our commitment to that task through this important conference on peace-building,” he said.
The keynote address at today’s workshop will be delivered by former Irish permanent representative to the EU and former Irish ambassador to France, Professor Rory Montgomery. Speakers include Professor Niall Ó Dochartaigh (NUI, Galway), Professor Cathal McCall (QUB) and Dr Mary C Murphy (NUI, Galway) among others.
Registration for today’s workshop is through: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/relationships-on-these-islands-the-european-union-peacebuilding-experience-tickets-166139027303
