The NCAFP Northern Ireland Emerging Leaders Program
Transforming Ideas into Action
As we mark a quarter-century since the signing of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement, it’s an important moment to reflect on the hard-won peace that ended decades of open, violent conflict. This historic achievement stands as a testament to resilience, but the journey toward lasting peace and prosperity is far from over. For peace to endure and thrive for future generations, it requires sustained commitment, along with fresh ideas and perspectives.
In this spirit, the NCAFP launched its Northern Ireland Emerging Leaders Program, now in its second year, to empower the next generation of leaders shaping the future. The program equips emerging leaders from the region with the tools, insights, and skills to turn forward-thinking ideas into actionable policy—driving not just peace, but sustainable growth and prosperity for the next 25 years and beyond.
Who are the Emerging Leaders?
Participants are community leaders, scholars, and activists from diverse backgrounds and experiences across Northern Ireland. A university degree is not required, ensuring accessibility for individuals with different perspectives. Participants should have at least three years of experience in community development. Above all, they must bring a unique and well-thought-out policy idea focused on advancing peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland and beyond.
Program Elements
- One-on-One Mentorship: Emerging Leaders from Northern Ireland receive guidance from leaders in the U.S. as part of NCAFP’s extensive network, which includes diplomats, politicians, lawyers, academics, and policy experts. Notable past and present mentors include Ambassador Paula Dobriansky, Professor Martin Flaherty, Professor Kevin Kenny, Charles Landow, Ambassador Nancy Soderberg, Ambassador Barbara Stephenson, Helena Kane Finn, John Connorton, and others.
- On-the-Ground Program Director: Emma DeSouza, who leads the Northern Ireland Emerging Leaders Program, works directly in Northern Ireland to organize and manage opportunities for emerging leaders.
- Skill-Building Workshops: Through virtual and in-person workshops, Emerging Leaders gain hands-on knowledge in political lobbying, media strategy, legislative drafting, and public relations.
- Legislative Immersion: Emerging Leaders visit key legislative chambers in Belfast and Dublin to experience policymaking in action and talk to politicians.
- Policy Creation & Presentation: The program concludes with a final conference, at which participants present their proposals to policymakers, experts, and influential figures in New York City. The final papers are subsequently published online and widely distributed.
Strengthening Transatlantic Ties
A key benefit of the program is its ability to strengthen transatlantic ties, building stronger connections across the Atlantic. It fosters collaboration between leaders in Northern Ireland and the U.S., creating opportunities for mutual growth, innovation, and shared learning.
Local to Global Impact
While participants are from and focused on Northern Ireland, they address a diverse range of issues extending beyond their local context. The cohorts of 2024 and 2025 have focused on topics, including women, peace, and security; educational reform; healthcare policy; human rights law; government reform; rural youth development; and the arts in peacebuilding. Their policy recommendations have initiated important discussions, paving the way for meaningful change.
“The expansion of the NCAFP Emerging Leaders Network into Northern Ireland follows a series of events marking the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. Building a sustained and prosperous peace requires work, and this program will help participants deliver ambitious, future-focused policy ideas to advance peace, reconciliation, and well-being while strengthening transatlantic relations” – Emma DeSouza, Program Director
Legacy & History
The NCAFP has a long history of engagement in Northern Ireland, dating back to the early 1990s when the organization played a crucial role in the peace process. In 1994, the NCAFP successfully lobbied the Clinton administration to grant Gerry Adams a 48-hour visa, enabling him to attend a ground-breaking cross-border conference alongside John Hume and John Alderdice. Adams’ first visit to the U.S. led to a ceasefire and allowed him to form critical ties with U.S. leaders, ultimately leading to his participation in peace negotiations that culminated in the signing of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement in 1998.
The NCAFP continues its work in Northern Ireland through the Emerging Leaders Program and various roundtables and events. This effort builds on a legacy of advocacy, policy development, and transatlantic collaboration.
This initiative also expanded NCAFP’s Emerging Leaders Network, which has supported the development of future leaders worldwide. NCAFP’s other regional programs, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, have had similar success in empowering the next generation of scholars, policy practitioners, and advocates. Integrating the Northern Ireland program into this larger network reflects NCAFP’s commitment to fostering international collaboration and preparing young leaders to tackle global challenges with innovative, actionable solutions.
How to Get Involved
To stay updated on the program, please check NCAFP’s website and social media channels. Program updates and applications for the next cohort will be posted there.
If you want to support this program through donation or by becoming a mentor or partner, please contact our program development officer at shaina.katz@ncafp.org for more information.
Highlights
2024 Emerging Leaders meet in Dublin.
2025 Emerging Leaders at the induction conference in Belfast.
Emerging leaders at the The Consulate General of Ireland in New York
2024 Emerging Leaders at the Ireland Mission to the UN.
2024 Emerging Leaders at the British Consulate in NY.
Congressman Richard Neal addresses the audience at the 2024 Northern Ireland Emerging Leaders conference.
Geraldine Byrne Nason (Ambassador of Ireland to the US) with Susan Elliott (President/CEO NCAFP)
2025 cohort meets with Mark Daly (Senator in Senate of Ireland) at Leinster House.
Northern Ireland Emerging leaders at the 2024 conference.
Kerry Kennedy speaks to Emerging Leaders at 2024 conference in NYC.
Michael Dowling speaks on Leading Northwell Health at the 2024 Northern Ireland Emerging Leaders conference.
Program Director Emma DeSouza leads the 2025 induction conference in Belfast.
Program participant presents final policy paper
2024 Emerging Leader Donal Griffin presents his policy recommendations at the NYC conference.
2024 Emerging Leader Judith Atwell presents her policy ideas at the conference in NYC.
Emerging Leaders with Fleur Anderson (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland between 2024 and 2025)
Joe Kennedy III speaks to Emerging Leaders in NYC.
We extend our deepest thanks to the Government of Ireland’s Reconciliation Fund, The Ireland Funds, Invest Northern Ireland, the Eithne & Paddy Fitzpatrick Memorial Fund, the Irish American Partnership, and our entire community of donors and supporters who make this work possible.