Launched in 2020 in honour of two champions of peace and reconciliation, the John and Pat Hume Foundation has been working to advance non-violent peaceful change for both present and future generations, while continually promoting the bonds of reconciliation.

Through the Communities in Partnership Programme (CiPP), the John and Pat Hume Foundation, together with Community Dialogue, led the Peace Summit Partnership, including the Holywell Trust, YouthAction NI, the Integrated Education Fund, NI Youth Forum, Ulster University  Holywell Trust and the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation. 

25 years on from the Good Friday Agreement it was important to ask what remains to be done, how we achieve this, and who is responsible for implementing the next steps. There was a recognition that society, now more than ever, needs visionary leadership for peaceful change. 

The Peace Summit is a process rather than a one-off event, which listened and continues to listen to voices of hope and refocus attention on the Peace Process to ensure we finish the job of reconciliation. 

Tim Attwood, from the John and Pat Hume Foundation, explains: “The Peace Summit Partners peacebuilding initiatives are primarily based in Northern Ireland and Ireland. The key focus of the work is promoting peace and reconciliation in a region that has historically been marked by sectarian conflict and political instability. Society, now more than ever, needs visionary leadership for peaceful change. 

However, we assert that peace is more than the absence of conflict; it requires active engagement in reconciliation, addressing socio-economic disparities, and dismantling sectarian structures.

 “The IFI has been a steadfast partner of the Partnership – it has provided essential funding that has enabled the Partners to carry out our mission. The continued support has been instrumental in ensuring the sustainability and expansion of our programmes, particularly in times when securing funding for peacebuilding activities has been increasingly challenging. This partnership underscores the importance of why stable, long-term funding is key to achieving lasting peace and reconciliation.” Communities in Partnership Programme “The partners then delivered a successful and thought-provoking Peace Summit, in UU Magee, that gave both young and old a voice; brought people from different political and religious persuasions together; and heard from an array of influential and grassroots peace experts that coincided with the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement – a process John Hume was a key architect of.”

As part of this process there was deep and meaningful consultation with peacebuilders, local communities, and young people from across Northern Ireland and the Border region in the Republic, through youth engagement workshops, peace practitioner workshops, community dialogues, citizen juries. The ‘Youth Peace Summits’ – were a six-part project that worked with 450 young people across Northern Ireland and southern border counties to develop three, eight-minute drama pieces to be performed at the Peace Summit. ‘Citizen Dialogue’ facilitated dialogue sessions between those from the Protestant, Unionist, Loyalist (PUL) and Catholic, Nationalist, Republican (CNR) areas as well as those from ethnic minorities, those who identify as LGBTQ+ and those who have made the country their home. 

‘Peacemaker Engagement’ was a four part session that engaged with 100 people involved in peacebuilding and good relations in Derry/ Londonderry, Belfast and Enniskillen with ‘Peace Summit Thirty’ the final element. Using a residential model, 30 people from different backgrounds came together to explore the Good Friday Agreement and concerns around legacy. 

“Our engagement with several hundred people found that Northern Ireland still faces a myriad of challenges, many of which are deeply intertwined with the region’s history of conflict. Sectarian tensions, economic disparities, trauma from past violence, and political instability pose significant barriers to lasting peace,” says Tim. “These challenges are further compounded by the segregated nature of Northern Irish society, where physical and social divisions persist – particularly in single-identity areas. In these areas, control by paramilitary groups exacerbates social and economic problems, and hinder efforts to foster reconciliation and improve the quality of life for residents. 

“The engagement of young people through initiatives like the Youth Peace Summit has brought new energy and perspectives to the peacebuilding process, ensuring that the next generation is equipped to carry forward the work of reconciliation. Raising issues such as racism, mental health, environmental problems, and the specific challenges that are faced by those living in segregated, paramilitary-controlled areas, have helped highlight the need for a more inclusive and supportive environment for those people who are often excluded from mainstream peacebuilding efforts. Our efforts to highlight the specific challenges that continue to be faced by marginalised groups – such as women, LGBTQ+ individuals, young people and those who living in poverty – demonstrate our dedication to ensuring that peacebuilding efforts are both comprehensive and inclusive.” 

25 years on from the historic Yes Referendum in 1998, The Peace Summit Partners launched a final report from ‘Peace Summit 2023 – A Call for Action’. A renewed commitment is needed, through civic and political work, to tackle current and future challenges. The political institutions need to function cooperatively, socio-economic issues must be tackled urgently while inviting meaningful civic engagement. The call for action offers a roadmap of issues that must be addressed through active, engaged, and visionary government and supported by a robust, vocal, and independent civil society. Dympna McGlade, Community Dialogue, said: “The last 25 years have brought relative peace, and we should never take this for granted. The Peace Summit has had a deep and constructive engagement with young people and peacemakers on the unfinished business of peace and reconciliation, the final report recognises the achievements and has produced important recommendations and a call for action for the next 25 years.” 

The Communities in Partnership Programme remains highly relevant to the current needs of Northern Ireland “The Peace Process must now shift its focus from maintaining the status quo to addressing the underlying causes of division and instability. In NI the Programme for Government must serve as a roadmap to a more inclusive, integrated society, and the Peace Summit Partnership is prepared to support the Executive in shaping and implementing these necessary reforms.”  

Tim added: “The Communities in Partnership Programme remains highly relevant to the current needs of Northern Ireland. Its focus on collaborative efforts and community-led initiatives is crucial for addressing the deep-seated issues that continue to affect the region. With the ongoing support of the International Fund for Ireland, the Partnership continues to play a vital role in the peacebuilding process, ensuring that the progress made is both sustainable and inclusive.”