About us

Founded in 1972 the British-Irish Association (BIA) is a registered educational charity (Number 265094). Among its founding members were David Astor, Robert Kee, John Vaizey, T.K Whitaker, Garret Fitzgerald and Thomas Pakenham. Throughout its existence its main aim has been to promote mutual understanding between the peoples of our islands. In practice this has meant a focus on the resolution of conflict and the overcoming of divisions in the North of Ireland. In furtherance of this goal the BIA holds an annual conference over a weekend in September. More than a hundred people come to it each year, all of them closely involved in British-Irish matters. When the BIA was founded there were few such opportunities for decision-makers to meet and talk in private. There are others now but, because of its long history and its tradition of impartiality, the BIA’s conference remains important. Often over-subscribed, it is enthusiastically endorsed as a meeting place where friendships are made and ideas exchanged freely. Political developments over the years have changed the context in which the conference is held but not diminished the value of candid dialogue. Relationships still need to be nurtured and contentious issues faced in the search for lasting settlement.

Attendance at the conference is by invitation. Those who can afford to do so pay a conference fee. There is provision for those whose presence is valued but whose resources are limited. The programme includes guest speakers, a number of plenary sessions, and smaller seminar groups in which all participants will have a voice. The Irish and British governments host receptions on successive evenings and there are many chances for informal conversation. All proceedings are conducted under the Chatham House Rule of non-attribution in order to encourage uninhibited discussion.

The BIA is governed by an executive committee, drawn from Britain and from Ireland, North and South, and elected at an annual general meeting. Its expenditure is modest; covering a part-time consultant, office and travel costs. It has neither government funding nor invested trusts and depends for its existence on the generosity of its sponsors, both individual and corporate. The BIA is always grateful for donations.