Fellows Meeting with Irish Ambassador to London, H. E. Mr. Martin Fraser, 28 January 2026

On 28 January, the Forward Thinking Fellows met with H. E. Mr. Martin Fraser, Ambassador of Ireland to Great Britain, for a discussion on the Northern Ireland peace process and its lessons for contemporary conflicts.

Ambassador Fraser outlined the historical context and key elements that made the 1998 Good Friday Agreement possible, emphasising the necessity of dialogue, genuine mandates, and building trust in peace-making.

Fellows explored the applicability of Irish lessons to current conflicts, including in Israel-Palestine , and Ukraine. The Ambassador highlighted both universal principles and unique challenges, including how technological advances since the 1990s create additional considerations for negotiators today.

The session provided Fellows with valuable insights into the mechanics of conflict resolution and the interplay between dialogue, timing, and political courage.