Stranmillis University College has created an annual memorial lecture in honour of Éamon Phoenix.
The lecture is designed both to honour his legacy, and to promote and further his work as a historian committed to promoting positive community relations and a shared understanding of our past.
The Inaugural Lecture took place on 30th January 202, with the keynote address being given
By United States Department of State Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs, Joseph P Kennedy III.
Speaking to a packed audience in the Conference Hall at Stranmillis, the Principal and CEO of the College, Professor Jonathan Heggarty, said: “It is a mark of Dr Éamon Phoenix’s reputation and respect that we are thrilled to welcome the US Special Envoy as our Keynote speaker for this inaugural event.
“Education has, and continues to be, a passion for Joe Kennedy III, not just in words, but in positive action through driving policy reform and plans for education that addresses each step along a child’s path; through promoting early childhood learning that prevents the achievement gap; continually advocating for universal proficiency and dynamic innovation in the classroom; and ensuring higher education is accessible to all.
“Themes and actions that would resonate strongly with Dr Éamon Phoenix.”
In his keynote speech, ‘Education as a Catalyst for Economic Progress, the Envoy spoke passionately about educational disadvantage, early years education, the need for educational innovation and education as the foundation and cornerstone of economic prosperity.
Appealing for greater access to affordable childcare as a springboard to greater educational attainment and community enrichment, Mr Kennedy said in his address:
“In all of my travels to almost every corner of our world, I have yet to find a child where if you don’t throw a ball to them they won’t throw it back.
“Kids laugh and play. They don’t know how to hurt or hate. Their wants and needs are the simple, basic things that unite us all.
That is, of course, the great lesson that Northern Ireland teaches the world. A lesson that Dr Phoenix knew well, and that has certainly taken hold of me.
“That despite our differences and divides, our future is shared. Our prosperity is linked.
“That there is, in fact, only one path forward — together. It’s a lesson demonstrated again last evening, and one, I’m certain, that would have Dr Phoenix cheering.”
The inaugural lecture was also addressed by Dr Jayne Brady, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, who paid a heartfelt tribute to the work and impact Éamon Phoenix made to so many on the island.
An insightful history of education lecture was given by Prof Noel Purdy (Stranmillis) and Dr Tom Walsh (Maynooth University). Entitled “Partition and Educational Policy Divergence in the 1920s” the lecture presented an analysis of the impact of partition on educational policy and practice in the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland, focusing on the political and educational context.
At the meeting, Mrs Alice Phoenix announced the creation of the Éamon Phoenix Foundation, established to honour and promote the legacy of Éamon’s work as a historian committed to promoting positive community relations and a shared understanding of our past.
Further details of the next year’s Dr Éamon Phoenix Annual Memorial Lecture will be revealed soon.