Northern Ireland: Looking Back, Looking Ahead

Lessons Learned from Strand 2 Implementation Bodies

Last year, the world celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement that ended prolonged violence and ushered in a new era of peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland. This year, we honor a crucial element that continues to uphold the vision of peace envisioned by the Good Friday Agreement: Strand 2 implementation bodies. These institutions, created to ensure cooperation between Northern Ireland and Ireland, have been instrumental in supporting peace by addressing shared challenges in areas like food safety, tourism and environmental protection.

On November 19, USIP and the U.S. State Department hosted officials and chief executives from these Strand 2 bodies for a conversation that reflected on their achievements, ongoing challenges, the U.S. role in supporting the Good Friday Agreement, and how lessons from these bodies can be applied to other post-conflict zones across the world.

For more information about this event, including the full agenda and list of speakers, please visit

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The United States Institute of Peace is a national, nonpartisan, independent institute, founded by Congress and dedicated to the proposition that a world without violent conflict is possible, practical and essential for U.S. and global security. In conflict zones abroad, the Institute works with local partners to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict. To reduce future crises and the need for costly interventions, USIP works with governments and civil societies to build local capacities to manage conflict peacefully. The Institute pursues its mission by linking research, policy, training, analysis and direct action to support those who are working to build a more peaceful, inclusive world. Learn more about USIP