Irish American Partnership advances the cause of Integrated Education at a Peace Dinner in Boston, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
BOSTON, MA, July 20, 2023 (PR.com) – The Integrated Education Fund (IEF) was honored and delighted to have received a $30,000 donation from a special dinner organized by leading transatlantic educational charity the Irish American Partnership, Ireland Gateway To Europe, and the Boston College Ireland Business Council.
The Boston College Peace Dinner was held in March to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and to celebrate Senator George Mitchell’s distinguished contribution to the peace process in Northern Ireland, where he was awarded the Irish Institute Leadership Award in memory of Bob Mauro.
IEF Head of Campaign Paul Caskey, Robert Mac Giolla Phadraig from Sigmar Recruitment, IEF Chief Executive Tina Merron and Sir Bruce Robinson, Board Member of the Irish American Partnership.
Special guest speakers at the event included Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland Joe Kennedy III, Senator George Mitchell, Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office Steve Baker MP, and Tommie Gorman, author, journalist and former Northern Ireland Editor of RTE.
“The continued support of the Partnership has enabled the IEF to support the growth and development of Integrated Education across Northern Ireland.” - Paul Caskey
Special Envoy for Northern Ireland Joe Kennedy III
The donation was presented to the IEF at the May Ball, a gala event held in Belfast’s Europa Hotel to celebrate the contribution of the late Baroness May Blood to Integrated Education. Making the presentation was Sir Bruce Robinson, Board member of the Irish American Partnership along with Robert MacGiolla Phádraig of Ireland Gateway To Europe.
The Irish American Partnership is a longstanding supporter of the IEF and hopes this generous gift will bring renewed funding and focus to the Good Friday Agreement pledge to “facilitate and encourage integrated education.”
Speakers and supporters at the Boston College Peace Dinner
“The Partnership is privileged to announce this gift to the Integrated Education Fund. We believe wholeheartedly in the mission of the IEF – to have children from different traditions to learn and play together, building a society where respect for religious and cultural difference is fundamental. We are also grateful to our partners in Ireland Gateway to Europe, and the Boston College Ireland Business Council for creating a wonderful dinner in celebration of this mission.”
Paul Caskey OBE, Head of Campaign, for the Integrated Education Fund said:
‘We are extremely thankful for this magnificent donation made possible by the Irish American Partnership, Ireland Gateway To Europe and The Boston College Ireland Business Council. The continued support of the Partnership has enabled the IEF to support the growth and development of Integrated Education across Northern Ireland. This generous donation will further support the establishment of new Integrated schools, the growth of existing Integrated schools and those schools seeking to become Integrated through the Transformation process. Integrated schools bring together children, staff and governors from all religious and cultural traditions within a single school community where they celebrate diversity and inclusivity, contributing to a united community and shared future.”
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ABOUT THE IRISH AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP
Dedicated to connecting Irish America and friends of Ireland to their heritage through targeted giving – we invest in education, community development, and peace initiatives across the island of Ireland. Since our inception in 1986, our supporters have raised over $56 million for young people and communities, North and South, empowering and educating the next generation of global leaders. For more information visit irishap.org.
ABOUT THE INTEGRATED EDUCATION FUND
The IEF is an independent charity that targets financial support for the development and growth of integrated education. Our aim is to enable children to learn together in an environment that celebrates religious and cultural diversity, making integration, not separation, the norm in the Northern Ireland education system. On the basis of parental demand we continue to support the establishment of more integrated school places, the transformation of existing non-integrated schools to integrated status and cross-community school initiatives that provide meaningful interaction between pupils, parents, staff and the wider community.