What went well?

• Meeting the team and helping organize our first event, the Sir George Quigley Memorial Lecture, was a great way to begin understanding the all-island and cross-border economic situation facing communities and civic society. 
• Exploring various monuments and sites of remembrance, reconciliation, and peacebuilding across Belfast helped me see just how far Northern Ireland has come since the Troubles.

What could have gone differently?

• The monuments we visited were primarily in West Belfast and City Centre - though these were the primary flashpoints throughout the conflict, a better geographic spread could've been achieved.

What did I learn about myself when working with others?

• I was encouraged that my background research had paid off in keeping pace with the developments and themes discussed by my colleagues, but also that there's so much to learn if you're willing to ask questions.

What did I learn about leadership?

• The work of civil servants such as the late George Quigley emphasized how research and sound policy can be effective tools of peacebuilding leadership even in conflict or post-conflict situations.

What do I want to develop or focus on next?

• I want to speak directly to those involved in civic society and community work to gain a grasp of the actual everyday challenges facing them.