Diplomatist Magazine Annual Edition 2018 | Page 57

Knowledge Partner Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist Image 27: The Grand Hotel in Brighton aqer an aBack by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) to assassinate the top Ler of the BriLsh government on 12 October 1984 Interna*onal actors – both governmental and non-governmental – were essen*al to the peace process in Northern Ireland. However, one should not overlook the significance of local actors – civil society leaders and organisa*ons within Northern Ireland who created space for poli*cal dialogue, established channels to those engaged in violence and worked at crea*ng a suppor*ve climate across society. In the context of this ar*cle, I would describe such locally-led work as ‘civic diplomacy’. One of its dis*nguishing features is that it is ‘long haul’ work, carried on within a stricken country over years and, actually, decades. And, of course, such work requires the emergence of a civic society whose leaders have sufficient exper*se, influence and independence, and the capacity to cross the dividing lines of the conflict. Interna*onal consensus and sponsorship between London, Dublin, Washington and Brussels were significant features of the Irish peace process. Thus, from Northern Ireland, another lesson for our *mes is that mediators cannot enter a conflict and facilitate real progress without interna*onal diploma*c support. Who could imagine a viable talks process 46