The final part of the Co Louth Peace and Reconciliation Partnership's learning programme took place towards the end of Phase I of Peace III Programme, in October 2010. It took the form of a national conference focusing on the national context (North and South) in which peace work is taking place; it showcased a number of the Peace III-funded programmes in the County and on a cross border basis; it challenged participants to reflect on their experiences and contribution to peace building in the county and on a cross border basis.
The Conference was chaired by Mark Little, RTE journalist and broadcaster and founder of storyful.com; and conference contributors included:
David McWilliams, economist and commentator who highlighted the economic challenges and opportunities facing County Louth because of its particular location along the Eastern corridor and its proximity to both Dublin and Belfast; the role of cross border initiatives within the current economic situation; and how a stable economy can help create the conditions for building a shared future.
Duncan Morrow, Chief Executive of the Community Relations Council for Northern Ireland who presented his thoughts on the peace process in the North and the Border Region with particular emphasis on the social challenges and opportunities the transition towards a peaceful, stable, inclusive society brings including the issues of sectarianism and racism.
Justyna McCabe, Manager of the Challenge of Change cross border diversity project highlighting the need to include ethnic minorities in the peace building process. Justyna noted the work currently being carried out on a cross border basis to facilitate greater involvement of people from Black and Minority Ethnic communities in civic, community and political life and to increase community cohesion.
Maurice Hayes, former Northern Ireland Ombudsman and member of the Independent Commission on Policing in Northern Ireland who was the After Dinner speaker. Dr Hayes highlighted the importance of building a shared society from a social, economic and cultural perspective in both Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Alan Hill, a cultural tourism specialist who presented his views on the cultural aspects of peace building and creating a shared future in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland. Specifically he explored the advantages of working on cross border and cross community basis in both the private, public and community sectors and how cultural enterprises can be used to create a stable society with a Shared Future.
Several local projects were also showcased and included: Calipo Theatre and Picture Company presented their Sharp Focus Project – a cross border drama based DVD exploring the issues of sectarianism, racism and diversity.
Upstate Theatre showcased a Solidarity Project – a drama based DVD exploring issues around diversity and commonalities among youth from the Drogheda area.
Junior Achievement Ireland presented their Sharing our Community Project – A classroom based project involving schools from across the county exploring issues around sectarianism and racism and how to build a shared future.
SLR Consulting Ireland showcased a project highlighting the Shared Heritage and Myths which brought cross border groups and individuals together to explore the shared heritage of County Louth and its immediate cross border neighbours.
Louth County Enterprise Board presented their Institutional Sectarianism and Racism Project which sought to address issues of institutional sectarianism and racism through facilitated sessions with minority groups, the business community and statutory institutions.
Co-operation Ireland showcased their Songs and Stories project – This project facilitated cross border groups to come together and address issues of diversity, sectarianism and racism in society through community arts based projects with a small resource allocation allowed to each group to develop their theme fitting project.
In his contribution to the proceedings, Maurice Hayes captured the main tenet of the conference by highlighting Your objective should be to create destinations within Louth where people will want to stop, or settle, or visit, and to do this by building on what is there by way of urban structure and developing communities with a strong sense of identity, by cultivating a sense of place, and by opening out to others so that they too can embrace a rich heritage and a variety of cultural and social experience.
In all the Conference highlighted the important role of developing and promoting cross border relationships in the county. In particular the critical underpinning role of peace and reconciliation was noted in the county being able to move forward towards a sustainable and prosperous future.
The final part of the Co Louth Peace and Reconciliation Partnership's learning programme took place towards the end of Phase I of Peace III Programme, in October 2010. It took the form of a national conference focusing on the national context (North and South) in which peace work is taking place; it showcased a number of the Peace III-funded programmes in the County and on a cross border basis; it challenged participants to reflect on their experiences and contribution to peace building in the county and on a cross border basis. 
