America-Ireland Youth Conference 2023: Creating Waves



Day 1 | Climate Change and Poverty: Who Foots the Bill?

Moderated by Ali Ahmad – Climate Change Specialist, The World Bank

Panelists:

Jelena Collins – McGill University / Co-founder, Chicago Youth Climate Coalition

Eoin Cummings – M.Sc. student, Queen's University

Amelia Medved – Graduate, Fordham University

Jack O’Connor – Graduate and Student Sustainability Coordinator, University of Limerick


Day 2 | 25 Years on from the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement: What’s Next?

Moderated by Lynette Fay – One of Northern Ireland’s most recognizable print and broadcast journalists, who covers current events, women’s issues and mental health on both radio and television.

Panelists:

Ryan Connor – M.A., Georgetown University

Emma Murphy – Students’ Union President, Queen's University Belfast

Kevin O’Connor – Graduate student, University College Cork

Rachel Stromsta – Program Officer, National Democratic Institute for International Affairs


Day 3 | Reproductive Rights Across the US and the Island of Ireland

Moderated by Aideen Kane – co-director and producer of “The 8th” a feature documentary about the historic repeal of the 8th Amendment outlawing abortion in Ireland, in 2018

Panelists:

Ciara O. Flynn – University of Limerick

Caitlin Holland - University College Cork

Marcella Labellarte - University of Baltimore School of Law

Alexa Mohsenzadeh – Graduate, Emory University / University of Galway (Class of 2024 George J. Mitchell Scholar)


Take a look at last years conference below

Ireland Today 2022: The Inaugural America-Ireland Youth Conference



Day 1 - Gender Based Violence: A road to Understanding

Identify the causes of gender-based violence in American and Irish Cultures and forge a road to solutions.

Moderated by Nisha Varia – until recently Advocacy Director, Human Rights Watch, Women's Rights Division

Panelists:

Kyle Friedler (he/him) - University of Illinois Chicago, MA Public Administration student

Raven Hodges (he/they) - The Intelligence Project Research Analyst, Southern Poverty Law Center

Roisin Keenan (she/her) - President of Queen’s University Belfast’s feminist and equality society

Stephanie Nilva (she/her) – Attorney, Executive Director of Day One, graduate of Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law


Day 2 - Shifting Landscapes: The Value of Peace
"The aim of this conversation is to touch on global conflicts, like Ukraine/Russia, Palestine/Israel, election violence in Kenya, etc., and discuss how peace can be achieved by reflecting on the Irish Peace Process."

Moderated by Sarah Crowe - Senior Communications Consultant with multiple UN agencies.

Panelists:

Dr. Brendan Ciaran Browne (he/him) - Trinity College Dublin - Asst. Prof. Conflict Resolution & Reconciliation

Sarah Nanjala (she/her) - Notre Dame, Master of Global Affairs student

Ryan Conner (he/him) - Georgetown - Walsh School of Foreign Service, MA in European Studies student

Casey Donahue (he/him) - Georgetown, MA in History + MS in Foreign Service student

Eóin Cummings (he/him) - Queen's University Belfast, President of QUB Politics Society


Day 3 - Tackling Climate Change Together
“The aim of this conversation is to discuss the reality of climate change and realistic steps and measures young people of both cultures can take to shift the tide in our favor.”

Moderated by Claire Byrne – Green Party Politician and Climate Campaigner, Dublin City Council Member

Panelists:

Marissa Kuriakos (she/her) - Oberlin College, Environmental Studies major, sophomore

Maeve Richardson (she/her) - Co-Chair of University College Cork’s Student Green Campus Committee & Communications & Engagement Officer UCC Students’ Union 2021/22

Jelena Collins (she/her) - Oak Park River Forest High School, Senior; Executive Director & Co-Founder of Chicago's Youth Climate Coalition

Tiarnán Burns (he/him) - Undergraduate student at Queen's University Belfast, founding member of QUB Politics Society