Maay 30, 2014-As the rapprochement in Northern Ireland continues to evolve, scenes unimaginable before 1998 continue to unfold. In late May, a conference held at the Beacon Hill home of British Consul General Susie Kitchens offered a profound reminder of just how much has changed. Consul General Kitchens and Irish Consul General Breandan O Caollai hosted a symposium with BC’s Irish Institute and its 2014 Rule of Law fellows on May 27.

The professional fellows and interns of the Irish Institute broke into three sub-groups for the discussion. The three topics covered were Diversion and Early Engagement with Youth; Enforcement and Police Services for Youth Offenders; and the Justice System for At-Risk Youth. Each group offered insights from their experiences, knowledge of US policy on these issues, and a comparison of both Irish and Northern Irish policy and practices on these issues. At the end, the discussion turned into a question and answer session reflecting on shared futures.
The professionals hailed from law enforcement, youth justice, and the law to engage with their American counterparts in and around Boston during a month-long fellowship on the American practices of good governance and the rule of law.
The focus of the discussion was “specific and effective policies aiming to encourage at risk young people to cooperate with one another and engage with political and economic institutions.” The consulates, as well as the Irish Institute of Boston College, are continuing to promote cooperation and understanding among the United States, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
– PETER F. STEVENS