EMMA DESOUZA

Irish Studies Guest Talk, Marquette University, Milwaukee, March 6th 2026 Emma was invited to Marquette University to speak with students and the wider community on how to mobilise in divided communities. Northern Ireland offers a great example of cross-community mobilisation, whilst every context is different, there are several useful comparators that can be replicated. The key takeaway: People are the drivers of change, start small with contact-based trust and build your wa

Next Generation Diplomacy, Clinton Institute, Dublin, February 27th 2026 As part of this year's Northern Ireland Emerging Leaders Program, Emma moderated a special panel discussion at the Clinton Institute titled, "The Atlantic Dividend: The Future of Peace and Prosperity" Featuring Paul Sweetman, CEO, Amcham, Margaret Hearty, CEO InterTradeIreland and Danny McCoy, CEO, IBEC, the discussion focused on in-depth analysis of transatlantic economic development, geopolitics, and t

In Conversation with the UN Special Envoy for Cyprus, Wilton Park, West Sussex, February 20th 2026 As part of the UN-FCDO convened Cyprus Dialogue at Wilton Park, Emma was asked to feature in a fireside chat with the the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy on Cyprus María Angela Holguín Cuéllar of Colombia and commentator Andrew Gilmour. The conversation focused on personal experiences of activism and resilience.

UN-FCDO Cyprus Dialogue, Wilton Park, West Sussex, February 19th 2026 Emma was invited to contribute across a two-day UN-convened dialogue on Cyprus. She was asked to review and provide expert analysis and recommendations on how to strengthen the UN Technical Committees to increase public participation and effectiveness. This was a closed dialogue featuring international experts and the chairs on the Cyprus Committees with a view to finding solutions.

Keynote address, National Union of Students (NUS) Strategy Exchange, Belfast, December 3 2025 How can we build movements and effect change amid growing global challenges? Together. This was the core message during my remarks at the NUS Charity National Union of Students (UK) Strategy Exchange conference in Belfast. Focused on the importance of relationships this two day event brought together senior leaders in the Student Union movement and experts to exchange ideas and exper

Guest visit, Colgate University, New York, November 3 2025 Hosted by Professor Jacob Mundy Emma visited Colgate University in upstate New York. In the morning she delivered a guest talk on peacebuilding with a focus on the role of civil society in building and maintaining peace. In the afternoon, Emma spoke with a class of students who will be visiting Northern Ireland, tackling any concerns and challenging questions about politics whilst giving important suggestions around

Guest Lecture: 'Beyond the State: The Role of Civil Society in Peacebuilding', Illinois State University, October 28 2025 How can we create a more peaceful and resilient world? The key is through collaboration, cooperation, and the empowerment of everyday citizens. We limit our peace when we limit the participation of civil society. This was Emma's message during an afternoon guest lecture at Illinois State University

Guest talk: From Good Friday to a New Ireland, Ulster University, October 23 2025 Hosted by the Politics Society at Ulster University Emma spoke about the role of civil society in the Good Friday Agreement and any future referendum on Irish unity. Civil society quietly prepared the ground for decades before the Good Friday Agreement vote, much of this work still remains unseen. Today , that work is needed again to prepare people North and South for a vote on unification.

Voting Rights Panel discussion, Leinster House, October 15 2025 Emma led an important and timely intervention calling for the extension of equal voting rights to all Irish citizens in Northern Ireland and abroad, 'This be the last presidential election where Irish citizens living outside the 26 counties are denied their right to vote.' As Vice Chair of VotingRights.ie for Northern Ireland, Emma spoke alongside Rose Conway-Walsh TD, Aoife Clements Joseph Neville TD, Cllr Dona

Democratic Progress Institute (DPI) Roundtable, Ankara, October 11 2025 What role can civil society play in peacebuilding? As part of a critical track II roundtable hosted by the Democratic Progress Institute (DPI), Emma shared the Irish experience of peacebuilding with civil and political leaders in Ankara, Türkiye. The day consisted of in-depth conversations on important topics such as safety, human rights, and resources, all particular challenges for civil society actors o

European Progress Conference, Brussels, September 26 2025 This conference hosted by Global Policy Research Group was focused on speaking a new progress movement in Europe. As MC and conference host Emma introduced acclaimed author Johan Norberg, each part of the conference running order and facilitated three breakout sessions on topics including Geopolitics, technology, and the environment.

NCAFP Northern Ireland Emerging Leaders, Belfast, September 20 2025 Emma was pleased to host and launch the third year of the Northern Ireland Emerging Leaders Program across a two-day event in Belfast. Featuring 13 exceptional leaders covering a wide range of topics including economic development, climate and the environment, and housing. As Program Director Emma hosted this year's induction conference, facilitating personal development session and moderating panel discussio

Left Bank Summer School, Dublin, July 19, 2025 What would a unified social democratic Ireland look like and how can we achieve it? Emma was delighted to join Professor John Barry and SDLP opposition leader Matthew O'Toole for a lively discussion on a new Ireland. Expertly chaired by Senator Patricia Stephenson this panel focused on social democratic values, Emma laid out her vision for Irish unity and the importance of deliberative democracy processes such as a national dialo

Guest Lecture: Peace-Building in Post-conflict Societies: From Negative to Positive Peace, Pearson Institute, May 6 2025 How do we...

In conversation with David Blevins, New York City, May 1 2025 Emma had the pleasure of interviewing Sky News Ireland Correspondent David...

In Conversation with Joe Kennedy III, New York City, April 30 2025 As part of the Northern Ireland Emerging Leaders 2025 New York...

Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, Cornell University, April 17 2025 Emma delivered a guest lecture titled, 'The Power of...

When Citizens Decide, Stormont Senate Chamber - March 31 2025 During this special Stormont event, Emma took part in a panel discussion on...

Imagine Festival Belfast, 'How to Lose a Referendum' - March 29 2025 Emma joined parliamentary researcher Aaron Callan, and political...

Committee for Communities Evidence on Civic Participation, Stormont - March 27 2025 Emma was called forward to present evidence on the...