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DCU honours Senator George Mitchell

DCU honours Senator George Mitchell

International peace envoy, Senator George J Mitchell has been conferred with an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy by Dublin City University today in recognition of his outstanding service in the cause of peace around the world. 

The United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland from 1995-2001, Senator Mitchell served as Independent Chairman of the Northern Ireland Peace Talks, successfully brokering the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. 

Senator Mitchell accepted his honour on behalf of all those who contributed to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement,

“This is an occasion that marks events in Northern Ireland over the past several decades.  The five years I spent there were among the most difficult but also the most rewarding of my life. The Good Friday Agreement reached in April 1998 was a remarkable achievement.  Many people contributed to that result but, I believe it is fair to say, the primary credit must go to the Irish and British governments who sponsored the talks and to the people and political leaders of Northern Ireland…  There are occasions in many societies when ordinary men and women, as were the political leaders of Northern Ireland 15 years ago, rise to the occasion to meet the great needs of their society...  I accept this recognition, not as an individual but as a symbol of the men and women, all of them, who contributed to that great effort.”

Senator Mitchell called for continued support for those in leadership in Northern Ireland,

“The reality of human life is that the solution to every problem contains within it the seeds of a new problem.  Technological change, advances in science, rapid population growth, all of them contribute constant change, constant problems, requiring constant attention.  What I ask, not just the people here assembled but all across this island, is to have the patience and fortitude to realise that support and assistance are needed by the men and women of Northern Ireland who are today courageously addressing the problems that still remain and that will continue long into the future.  Northern Ireland today is a better place than it was 15 years ago and I am certain that, 15 years from now, it will be a better place than it is today.”

Dr Martin McAleese, Chancellor of Dublin City University described Senator Mitchell as a true friend of Ireland,

“You were the trusted and committed honest broker at the time of our greatest need. You helped to radically change language, mindsets and attitudes. You met us at our most entrenched and yet sold the awesome possibilities of compromise. In that you helped change the way we look at ourselves and at each other on this island as well as helping recalibrate the relationship with our neighbouring island. In short, you helped make possible what many believed to be impossible and - against all the odds and the force of history itself - you delivered an agreement which paved the way to a lasting peace.”

The Doctor of Philosophy (honoris causa) is the highest award that DCU can bestow.  It is not only a recognition of outstanding achievement, of excellence in a particular field of endeavour, it is also a public statement of the values the University cherishes.

Professor Brian MacCraith, President of Dublin City University said,

“It has been my great privilege today, on behalf of DCU, to confer an honorary doctorate on a great peacemaker, a man of integrity, of honesty and extreme humility.  Senator Mitchell, we are delighted to welcome you into the DCU family.”

In a special message to the many students in the audience, Senator Mitchell said,

“You are fortunate to be getting a good education and, when you complete your education, wherever you go and whatever you do, remember that you are part of a community.  Be active in that community… Real fulfilment in your life will come, not just from material gains, but primarily if you commit yourself fully, physically, mentally and spiritually to a cause that helps others and that is larger than yourself.….. Stay focussed, try hard, aim high, don’t fear failure.”

The Mitchell Scholars programme was created to honour Senator Mitchell’s leadership role in the Irish peace process.  Designed to introduce and connect generations of future American leaders to the island of Ireland, the programme has enabled 13 Mitchell Scholars to study at DCU since 2001.