“Peace and democracy are not inevitable” – Barack Obama delivers powerful message at Queen’s University Belfast
Former U.S. President Barack Obama and President speaking at the ceremony at Queen’s University Belfast
Tuesday 13 October 2026
Former US President Barack Obama has praised Northern Ireland’s transformation since the Good Friday Agreement, while warning that peace and democracy must never be taken for granted, as he received an honorary doctorate from Queen’s University Belfast.
Speaking at a special ceremony attended by students, staff and invited guests, Mr Obama challenged a new generation to protect the progress made over recent decades and ensure the opportunities created by peace reach people from every community.
Reflecting on his previous visit to Belfast in 2013, he acknowledged the challenges facing young people but said Northern Ireland’s experience offered a powerful example of what could be achieved through reconciliation.
A warning against complacency
Former U.S. President Barack Obama and President speaking at the ceremony at Queen’s University Belfast
“The Good Friday Agreement is still a shining example of what can happen when people put aside old wounds and choose peace.
“But as we have seen in many countries, including in my home country the United States, peace and democracy are not inevitable. They have to be chosen, again and again.”
His remarks placed Northern Ireland’s peace process within a wider international context, highlighting the continuing responsibility to protect democratic institutions and overcome divisions.
Mr Obama also stressed that the benefits of peace must extend beyond political agreements, creating meaningful opportunities for young people regardless of their backgrounds.
From cross-community youth programme to university student
Pictured left to right back row alongside Former U.S President Barack Obama are: Amy Smith: President, NUS/USI National Union of Students NI; Molly Curran, Student Officer, Activities and Engagement; Eoin Tohill, an MA in History student; Nadine Curtis, Students’ Union President; Emma McAllister, Law with Politics student; Chloe O'Malley, Student Officer, Undergraduate Education; Georgia Miles, Student Officer, Welfare and Community; Megan Savage, Business Economics student and left to right front row: Aine McVeigh, student of Masters in Accounting; Charlie Mallon, Dentistry student; Morrigan McEvoy, Student Officer, Accessible Education; Ruby Glover, Chemistry student; Coran Morris PhD student; Joe Clarke, Engineering student; Penny Sheridan, undertaking a Postgraduate Solicitor Course at Queen's; and Catherine Clarke, Actuarial Science student.
President Obama meets a group of students at Queen's University Belfast
One of the ceremony’s most personal moments came when first-year Law with Politics student Emma McAllister, from North Belfast, delivered the citation honouring the former President.
Emma’s journey to Queen’s began when she was just 15, through R-CITY, a cross-community initiative bringing young people from Ardoyne and the Shankill together to develop leadership skills and access educational opportunities.
A former pupil of Dominican College Fortwilliam, she completed Queen’s-accredited qualifications in Youth Leadership and Community Action before progressing to university.
Her experience provided a real-life example of the opportunities Mr Obama believes peace should make possible.
Queen's President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer presents President Obama with an honorary degree at Queen's University
Following Emma’s citation, he praised initiatives that help young people overcome community divisions and recognise that higher education is within their reach.
“That's what peace makes possible. And it's what Queen's and the supporters in this room are helping to make real,” he said.
A personal moment for Emma
Reflecting on the occasion, Emma described the significance of presenting an honorary doctorate to a former US President whose message resonated with her own experiences.
“President Obama's message about opportunity and the power of young people to shape the future has a very personal meaning for me. Through R-CITY, I was encouraged to challenge myself, develop as a leader and believe that a place like Queen's was within reach.
“Standing here as a Queen's student and presenting President Obama with an honorary doctorate was a powerful reminder that, as he said, our starting point need not determine how far we can go. His example continues to inspire young people to recognise their own capacity to make a difference.”
University honours commitment to peace
Queen’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Ian Greer, welcomed Mr Obama and congratulated him on receiving the University’s highest honour.
“We are privileged to welcome President Obama to Queen's. His commitment to peace, dialogue and public service has left a lasting impact around the world, and particularly here in Northern Ireland."
The honorary doctorate recognises Mr Obama’s contribution to public service, dialogue and peace, with the ceremony also providing an opportunity to reflect on the importance of widening access to education.
A challenge for the next generation
Former U.S. President Barack Obama and President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer at Queen's University Belfast
Concluding his address, Mr Obama urged the Queen’s community to continue demonstrating how inclusion, education and ambition can change lives.
“I want to use this opportunity as an honorary Queen’s graduate to leave you all with a challenge and that is to keep showing the way,” he said.
His message was both a recognition of Northern Ireland’s achievements and a reminder that the work of building a peaceful, inclusive society remains unfinished.
For young people such as Emma, whose journey from a cross-community youth programme to university brought her onto the stage alongside a former US President, that progress is already creating opportunities that previous generations could scarcely have imagined.
