CENTRE I FOR INTERNA TIONALR COMPETITIVENESS & RESEARCH, EUROPE

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Y O L GLOBAL WILLIAM

HALLof FAME

for being a strident negotiator for peace, displaying exemplary political courage, leadership and acumen, building consensus and support for the Belfast Agreement as a leading architect of the Northern Ire- land Peace Process, and for engendering a peaceful resolution to a violent conflict.

First Minister in Northern ’s coalition government in November “For whom 1999. Once a target for Irish Republican Army Peace is the (IRA) death-squads, Lord Trimble was one of a group of community leaders central to brokering the deal, only priority” which lead to the decommissioning of IRA weapons and the normaliza- tion of politics in the province and For anyone growing-up in the United of the House of Lords, has gone from bringing the Unionist and National- Kingdom in the decades between the the fringes of Protestant resistance ist Communities together in pursuit 1970’s and 1990’s, this very name to Nationalism in the 1970’s to be- of peace. would have a special resonance. In coming one of the most recognized William David Trimble was born this period, two of ’s advocates of peace and reconcilia- into a Protestant family in the town leading politicians, Mr, Durkan, who tion in Northern Ireland through the of Bangor, Northern Ireland on Octo- we will have the honour of meeting 1998 Good Friday Agreement, for ber 15, 1944, which by that time was later, and the redoubtable Lord Trim- which he was awarded the Nobel already sharply divided along reli- ble, who whilst coming from different Peace Prize for his political courage gious and political lines. Trimble at- sides of the Unionist/Nationalist di- in advocating solutions which lead tended Bangor Grammar Schoolas a vide, worked together to bring about to the Belfast Agreement. The Good youth, and then went on to study law the Northern Ireland Peace Process Friday agreement entailed extended at Queen’s University of Belfast, from and eventually served together as self-government for Northern Ireland which he graduated with honors in Deputy First Minister and First Min- under which a reasonable degree 1968. After passing the bar the fol- ister of Northern Ireland. of influence was secured for both lowing year, Trimble returned to his David (Lord) Trimble, Barrister, for- population groups. The penal code alma mater to teach, eventually be- mer Professor of Law, Leader of the would be reviewed, imprisoned ter- coming head of its Commercial and from 1995 – rorists would be released, and un- Property Law department. He en- 2005, Member of Parliament, Mem- lawful weapons would be destroyed. tered politics in 1975 and ever since ber of the NI Legislative Assembly, The Peace Prize encouraged Trim- then, there was no looking back.His First Minister of Northern Ireland ble to take further steps in the peace personal interests are classical mu- from 2001-2002 and now Member process after he had taken over as sic, opera, history and reading.

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