Politics across Britain and Ireland is changing fast, and the recent election results in Britain show just how significant that change could become.
The rise of Reform raises serious questions about the future direction of the UK.
At the same time, conversations about constitutional change and the future of this island are moving firmly into the political mainstream. More and more people are asking what a New Ireland could look like, how change should be managed, and what kind of future can deliver stability, opportunity and inclusion for everyone who shares this island.
The Future of These Islands: Preparing for Change will bring together political parties and other contributors from across Ireland and Britain for a timely day of discussion and debate on the major political questions shaping the years ahead.
The conference will explore:
Political Change across these islands: The next decade
Claire Hanna MP
SDLP Leader and MP for Belfast South and Mid Down
Minister Jim O'Callaghan TD
Irish Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration
Minister Stephen Gethins MSP
Scottish Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Energy
Mark Drakeford
Former First Minister of Wales
Ireland, Britain and global relations: Trust, leadership and change
Matthew O'Toole MLA
SDLP Leader of the Opposition and MLA for Belfast South
Leo Varadkar
Former Taoiseach
Baroness Sue Gray
Former Downing Street Chief of Staff and Senior Civil Servant
Conleth Burns
Associate Director, More in Common
Ian Marshall
Former Independent Ulster Unionist Senator and President of the Ulster Famers' Union
The art of persuasion: How we talk about a New Ireland
Colum Eastwood MP
SDLP MP for Foyle
Linzi McLaren
Former UUP Councillor and Community Activist
Sinéad Gibney TD
Social Democrats TD for Dublin Rathdown
Kwame Daniels
North Star
Brexit myths: Populism, misinformation and constitutional change
Cara Hunter MLA
SDLP MLA for East Derry
Senator Conor Murphy
Leader of Sinn Féin in the Seanad
Duncan Smith TD
Labour TD for Dublin Fingal East
Orna Young
Co-founder and Managing Director, FactCheckNI
The next generation: Shaping the future of this island
Ellie-Jo Taylor
Youth Activist
Aoife Murphy
Youth Activist
Aaron Duke
National Chair of Irish Labour Youth
Joel Keys
Youth Activist and Loyalist Commentator
This event is for anyone interested in considering what the future looks like from all perspectives, and who wants to engage in respectful, inclusive and ambitious planning for the years ahead.
If you are attending with an organisation you can purchase tickets here.
If you are attending as an individual you can purchase tickets here.
If you are attending as a member of the SDLP you can purchase tickets here.