Kieran McLoughlin has been honored for his seminal contributions to the Irish American community and laudable commitment to prosperity and harmony for all on the island of Ireland.
At its 2023 Gala Celebration, the National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP) honored McLoughlin, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of VentureWave Capital Ltd and board member of the John and Pat Hume Foundation, with its William J. Flynn Initiative for Peace Award in recognition of his seminal contributions to the Irish American community, and laudable commitment to prosperity and harmony for all on the island of Ireland.
Today's spotlight is on Kieran McLoughlin, our 2023 Gala recipient of the William J. Flynn Initiative for Peace Award. @humefoundation
For more information about this year's gala, click here: https://t.co/QWfHtY8zro pic.twitter.com/dOfeoHUd7F
— NCAFP (@NATLCOMMITTEE) October 25, 2023
Loretta Brennan Glucksman, Chairman Emeritus of the Ireland Funds, presented the award.
(L to R) Helena Nolan, Consul General of Ireland, Kieran McLoughlin, and Loretta Brennan Glucksman.
The William J. Flynn Initiative for Peace Award was established in 1997 in honor of William J. Flynn, NCAFP Chairman Emeritus, for his decisive leadership and daring diplomacy in spurring two cease-fires and promoting the peace process in Northern Ireland. This award is presented to an individual who has worked tirelessly to resolve a conflict that has affected the national interests of the United States. Previous recipients were Senator George J. Mitchell, The Right Honorable Dr. Marjorie Mowlam, Gerry Adams, Shaun Kelly, and President William J. Clinton.
Ambassador (ret.) Susan M. Elliott, President and CEO of the NCAFP, said: “The NCAFP is honored to recognize Kieran for his contributions to peace, stability, and prosperity on the island of Ireland.
"His extraordinary leadership compares with that of William 'Bill' Flynn, the organization’s Chairman Emeritus and namesake of the award.”
The NCAFP has worked on peacebuilding initiatives in Northern Ireland since the early 1990s. The organization played a pivotal role in the peace process when it successfully lobbied the Clinton administration to grant Gerry Adams a 48-hour visa so that he could attend the NCAFP's ground-breaking cross-border conference with John Hume and David Trimble.
Adams' first appearance in the United States led to a ceasefire and enabled him to develop ties with key U.S. leaders, giving him and his party the assurance necessary to enter into peace negotiations and sign the Belfast Agreement in 1998.
The NCAFP remains active in Northern Ireland, as it regularly hosts Track II discussions with political leaders on today’s current political and economic challenges.
The organization recently launched its inaugural Northern Ireland Emerging Leaders Network, a transatlantic mentorship program for next-generation policy practitioners from all communities across Northern Ireland.
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