Centre for Cross Border Studies' 23rd Annual Conference, 29-30 Sept

Posted on 31 Aug 2022 Last updated on 6 Sep 2022

Bringing together a range of key decision and policy-makers, leading academics, civil society representatives and commentators, the Centre for Cross Border Studies’ 23rd Annual Conference will consider how the current commitment to cooperation, mobility and relations within and across these islands can be sustained in light of new challenges.

While civic society organisations, local authorities and businesses have demonstrated significant resilience and perseverance in collaborating and maintaining North-South, East-West and wider relations since the UK’s departure from the EU, what new approaches do they and relevant governments and institutions need to safeguard those relations?

On the first day of the conference (29 September), as well as keynote addresses there will be three panel discussions focusing on cross-border cooperation, mobility and relations respectively. The opening day will also see a reception to launch the 17th edition of the Journal of Cross Border Studies in Ireland, followed by a conference dinner with a guest speaker.

The second day (30 September, morning only) will consist of a technical workshop exploring a number of core challenges being faced by organisations involved in North-South and all-island cooperation, such as cross-border insurance and charitable status. It is aimed specifically at organisations active in the field of cross-border cooperation and mobility, and the workshop will be followed by a panel session on policy responses to the issues raised.

The Conference Keynote speakers 

  • Micheál Martin TD – An Taoiseach & Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South-Central
  • Bernadette McAliskey – CEO, South Tyrone Empowerment Programme
  • Paul Johnston – British Ambassador to Ireland.

Panel discussions focussed on

  • Cooperation featuring Dr Anthony Soares, Dr Lisa Claire Whitten and Ivan Cooper.
  • Cross-border Mobility featuring Owen Reidy, Sam Lowe, Dr Sheila Flanagan and Prof. Anne Looney.
  • Relations featuring Jack O’Connor, Sorcha Eastwood MLA, Lauren Kerr and a Welsh Government representative.

Dinner Speaker

  • Brian Rowan – author of Political Purgatory, commentator and former BBC journalist

Tweets relevant to the Conference can be viewed using the hashtag  #CCBSconf

Read more on our dedicated conference page.

Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ccbs-23rd-annual-conference-tickets-338987068447