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
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