03/22/2025
A look back at our 2017 Young ambassador, Gillian, sharing her experience.
"The Young Ambassadors Program allowed me to realize party politics and policy views were just a small part of the big picture of the Northern Irish peace process. Many of the people we spoke with had vivid memories of violence, discrimination, and instability from the not-so-distant past, and told us they chose the political party they felt would lead to the greatest likelihood of peace and “best chance for Northern Ireland” generally. They worried deeply about the future of their country, as well as the safety of their families and communities, and openly spoke of how willing they were to cross party lines to work together if it meant a functional and stable government which could leave the Troubles in the past, and respond effectively to tragedies such as the Grenfell Tower Fire, London Bridge attack, and Finsbury Park attack which all happened while we were there. I have begun to hear many of my friends, colleagues and family in the U.S. share similar views, and now that I’ve returned, I feel the program has better prepared me to have the tough political and historical conversations which hit far closer to home."
Interested in learning more about becoming a Young Ambassador? Message us! More information and applications at https://www.youngambassadorprogram.com/
