About this Event
Speaker: Anne Anderson (Former Irish Diplomat)
Chair: Professor Richard English (QUB)
The Harri Holkeri Lecture Series celebrates the contribution of the late Finnish Prime Minister Harri Holkeri to the Northern Ireland peace process. His aim of transforming conflict and promoting social justice in Northern Ireland and across the world is shared by the Mitchell Institute. We are honoured to partner with the Embassy of Finland, London, to host the Harri Holkeri Lecture Series.
Further details will be available soon.
Harri Holkeri
Harri Holkeri (1937-2011) played a prominent role in the Northern Ireland peace process, helping to forge the Good Friday Agreement. As a member of the Mitchell Committee, working with Senator George J. Mitchell and General John de Chastelain.
Harri Holkeri facilitated the decommissioning of illegal weapons in Northern Ireland. His skills as negotiator and consensus-builder were crucial in the multi-party peace negotiations. He was awarded the title of Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1999 for his achievement and impact in the Northern Ireland peace process.
Harri Holkeri was Prime Minister of Finland from 1987 to 1991. He was a well-respected political figure, serving as Party Leader of Finland’s National Coalition Party from 1971 to 1979. He was a Member of Parliament from 1970 to 1978. During his time as Prime Minister, he headed a coalition formed by his party and the Social Democrats. Holkeri held a number of positions at the international level and made a significant contribution to addressing global issues. He was Vice-President of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Parliamentarians from 1974 to 1975 and President in 1976. He was also a member of the Nordic Council from 1975 to 1978 and he was President of the United Nations General Assembly from 2000 to 2001.
Harri Holkeri held the Finnish Honorary Title of Valtioneuvos for his national and international achievements. This honorary title of the highest class was awarded in 1998 by the then President of the Republic of Finland, Martti Ahtisaari.
Harri Holkeri Lecture Series
We have hosted 7 Lectures in the series to date. Speakers have included:
7th Harri Holkeri Lecture
21 May 2019
Bertie Ahern
Peace Process - In Light of Brexit Issues
6th Harri Holkeri Lecture
29 May 2018
President Michael D. Higgins
Remembering, Forgiving, Forgetting and Imagining
5th Harri Holkeri Lecture
9 May 2017
Tarja Halonen, Former President of Finland
Reflections on Women and Peace-building
4th Harri Holkeri Lecture
23 May 2016
Arlene Foster Former First Minister of Northern Ireland
Women, Leadership and Peace-building
3rd Harri Holkeri Lecture
22 April 2015
Senator George J. Mitchell
Reflections on Brokering Peace in Divided Societies
2nd Harri Holkeri Lecture
29 May 2014
Ambassador Akbar S. Ahmed
Islam, Peace-building and Conflict Transformation
1st Harri Holkeri Lecture
21 May 2013
Martti Ahtisaari, Former President of Finland
Egalitarianism in Conflict ResolutionÂ
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Canada Room & Council Chamber, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00