IAUC CONVENTION IN BELFAST
The 22nd annual convention of the Irish American Unity Conference (IAUC) will be held in Belfast, Northern Ireland, November 11-14, 2004. This is the first IAUC convention to be held outside of the U.S. The IAUC is a National Irish-American Human Rights member organization working to support the full implementation of all elements of the Good Friday Agreement.
The convention will include a two day conference, with the theme of "Communities: Democracy on the Ground", and interactive bus tours in Derry and Belfast cities. IAUC President, Judge Andy Somers (Ret.) said, "The conference will bring together both Nationalist and Unionist community groups to discuss their activities toward creating social and economic stability and a just and equitable peace, in keeping with the Good Friday Agreement."
On Friday, Nov. 12, the conference will feature Fr. Des Wilson, Dr. John Robb and Mr. Ray Bassett as leadoff speakers. Panel discussions will follow which will feature Belfast Lord Mayors Tom Ekin, Martin Morgan and Alex Maskey; a summary of Incore's recent conference on Conflict Resolution; the Zero28 group: Falls Council; South Belfast Partnership; Community Dialogue and Northern Ireland Students organization. An Economic panel will include Co-Op Ireland; International Fund for Ireland; European Union Special Projects Office, and West Belfast Economic Forum.
The Saturday, Nov. 13 program will open with a talk by Prof. Bill Rolston on "Media Reporting". Two community panels will follow, which include: Padraigin Drinan; a summary of a recent Millennium Court conference on Culture and the Agreement; Project Children; east Belfast working class Protestants community; Joe Doherty on the New Lodge community; Mornington Project; Cliftonville community and a representative on women’s' issues.
Annual IAUC honors and special recognitions will be given this year to the Honorable Eliot Engel, (D-NY), Member of Congress; Paul O'Connor, Pat Finucane Center; Attorney Padraigin Drinan; The Rev. Desmond Wilson; Patrick Mageehan; long-time New Jersey IAUC activist Bill Cunningham; and Irish victims of the U.S, immigration/deportation regulations.
Convention Chair Jim Gallagher reported that the bus tour to Derry city would occur on
Wednesday, Nov. 10, and, the Belfast bus tour will be held on Sunday, Nov. 14 and Monday, Nov. 15. The Belfast tour will include meetings with communities in West and East Belfast, visits to the Holy Cross school, Belfast City Hall, Stormont and a Murals tour in Ardoyne, New Lodge and East Belfast.
Advance registration is required since space is limited. A per person, Full Registration Fee of 7 pounds per day or 10 pounds for the two days covers lunch, refreshments and a social reception. If space is available, a Partial Free Registration will be offered for attendance at the speaking program only. Registrations must be completed no later than10 November. Reservations may be made by e-mail at: Deirdre_Obrien@hotmail.com