EVENT RECAP: Northern Ireland Emerging Leaders Hold High-Level Meetings in Dublin

Northern Ireland Emerging Leaders Hold High-Level Meetings in Dublin

March 9, 2026 

The NCAFP Northern Ireland Emerging Leaders gathered in Dublin for a series of high-level meetings with government officials, diplomats, academics, and business leaders as they refined and presented their policy proposals.

The Emerging Leaders program brings together community leaders from across Northern Ireland who are developing forward-thinking solutions for the region while strengthening transatlantic and trilateral relationships. The Dublin visit marked a key milestone in the program, giving participants the opportunity to test and refine their ideas ahead of their publication and presentations in New York City later this year.

Now in its third cohort, the program is addressing a wide range of policy challenges. Many proposals focus on business development, economic growth, trade, and climate solutions and justice. Other projects examine issues such as youth paramilitarism, housing, and the role of AI in education.

The program began with a meeting at Leinster House with Senator Mark Daly, a Fianna Fáil politician who currently serves as Cathaoirleach (Chairperson) of Seanad Éireann. Daly, founder of the American-Irish State Legislators Caucus and a longtime advocate for strengthening U.S.-Ireland ties, spoke with the cohort about the importance of the U.S.-Ireland-Northern Ireland relationship and the role of transatlantic partnerships in promoting cooperation and opportunity.

The Emerging Leaders then participated in a roundtable lunch with the Deputy British Ambassador at the British Embassy in Dublin. The discussion allowed participants to explore their policy topics in greater depth and consider opportunities for collaboration among the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Northern Ireland on shared challenges.

Later, the group met with officials from Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, including representatives from the Reconciliation Fund. During this working session, participants presented their policy proposals and received real-time feedback from government representatives in a workshop-style discussion.

The cohort also visited the Shared Island Unit within the Department of the Taoiseach, where they learned more about the Irish government’s efforts to strengthen cross-border cooperation and develop shared policy solutions across the island.

The Dublin program concluded the following day with a half-day conference held in partnership with the Clinton Institute at University College Dublin. The event featured panel discussions exploring the future of transatlantic relations and economic cooperation.

The opening panel included Christina Finn, Political Editor of The Journal.ie; Scott Lucas of the Clinton Institute; and Liam Kennedy of the Clinton Institute. Speakers discussed the evolving transatlantic relationship and the continued importance of diplomacy, democratic values, and international cooperation.

The second panel focused on economic ties and opportunities for growth in trade and business. Speakers included Danny McCoy, CEO of IBEC; Paul Sweetman, CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland; and Margaret Hearty, CEO of InterTradeIreland. The discussion was moderated by program director Emma DeSouza.

The Dublin meetings provided the Emerging Leaders with valuable insights, feedback, and new connections as they continue refining their proposals and working to translate their policy ideas into actionable solutions.

If you would like to support this program, participate as a speaker, partner with us, or attend a future event, please contact our Program Development Officer at shaina.katz@ncafp.org for more information.

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.