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Anthony Soares

@anthonysoares.bsky.social
622 followers 173 following 75 posts

Director of the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation, Convenor of the Ad-Hoc Group for North-South and East-West Cooperation, Secretary to Universities Ireland and SCoTENS. All views my own.

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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The CCBC Research Manager, Aidan Campbell, and representatives from rural #community #organisations across Northern Ireland and the border regions met Catherine Connolly, the President of Ireland, on Saturday afternoon. Conversations focused on learning, connecting and collaborating across #borders.
Representatives from the 24 rural community organisations from across Northern Ireland and the border region who met Irish President Catherine Connolly in Rural Community Network's office in Cookstown.Jane Gribben (Volunteer Now), Aidan Campbell (Centre for Cross Border Cooperation), Karin Arbuckle (Northern Ireland Community Energy), Jimmy Hamill and Helen Hamill (Save Our Acute Services) and President Catherine Connolly.Informal photograph of Jane Gribben (Volunteer Now) and Aidan Campbell (Centre for Cross Border Cooperation).Brian McEnery, Kate Clifford, Catherine Connolly, John Waddell and Noelle Hall outside the Rural Community Network office.
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 8h
‘Sustaining the New Common Charter’ project: join us at next week’s cross-border networking event to discuss challenges & opportunities - funding applications, planning, recruitment, event & other issues. 🗓️ Thursday 8 Oct ⏰ 11am 📍 Rural Community Network, Cookstown docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Stock image of people sitting in rows at a community meeting.
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Register at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... for our cross-border networking event on Thursday 8 October at 11am in Rural Community Network (Cookstown). It is open to representatives from community & voluntary organisations involved in cross-border projects, events & activities. #community #sector
Stock image of people sitting in rows at a business meeting.
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
We presented our research priorities at a seminar in Parliament Buildings yesterday, setting out the key thematic areas in our crossborder.ie/reports/stra... Plus potential research, Border People FLOW project & North South ESTEEM projects' plans, and an initiative on civil society collaboration.
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Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Conference Part 2 summary: Ciara King, Ruth Taillon, Anne Thevenet, Andy Pollak, Barney Ely, Kirsty McManus, Linda Megahey, Dimitrios Argyros, Maeve McElwee, Siobhán Fearon, Una McCabe, Damian Duffy, Anthony Soares, Dawn Purvis & Peter Osborne! crossborder.ie/conferences/... #ccbcconf #NWTEC #EPIC
Collage of nine photographs featuring speakers at the conference.
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Conference: Great morning & early afternoon with James Lawless, Kristel Miller, Anthony Soares, Billy Bennett, Aisling Cannon, Aidan Garner, Beth Dunbar, Fiona Reynolds, Paul Hannigan, Molly Clifford, Malachy Ó Néill, Alistair Stewart, Claire McGee, Conor Thompson, John Doyle & Suzanne Costello!
Collage of nine photographs featuring speakers at the conference - some contributions were video recordings.
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Thanks to conference sponsors @mynwtec.bsky.social, EPIC Futures NI, @dublincityuni.bsky.social, @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social, Institute of Public Health, InterTradeIreland, C-CASE, Ibec, ATI, SRC, Technological Universities Association and Waterways Ireland. crossborder.ie/conferences/...
Collage of sponsors' logos and photographs.
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
"Congratulations on another excellent event. One of the highlights of the year." - 2025 conference delegate 📅 Thursday 17 September ⏰ 9.15am 📍 Dundalk www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for... #ccbcconf #event #highlights #conference
Dark green text in a white speech bubble on a dark blue background, with the CCBC logo, that reads - Congratulations on another excellent event. One of the highlights of the year.
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Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
"Full of like-minded people collaborating with shared purpose, improving understanding and building on our strengths" - 2025 conference delegate 📅 Thursday 17 September ⏰ 9.15am 📍 Dundalk www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for... #ccbcconf #collaborating #shared #purpose #understanding #strengths
Dark blue text in a white speech bubble on a dark green background, with the CCBC logo, that reads - Full of like-minded people collaborating with shared purpose, improving understanding and building on our strengths.
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
"The conference is important in developing good policy and building strong relationships on our shared island" - 2025 conference delegate 📅 Thursday 17 September ⏰ 9.15am 📍 Ballymascanlon Hotel & Golf Resort, Dundalk www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for... #ccbcconf #cooperation #policy #relationships
Dark green text in a white speech bubble on a dark blue background with the CCBC logo that reads - The conference is important in developing good policy and building strong relationships on our shared island.
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Dawn Purvis was a researcher & MLA - and works in corporate affairs. She said in 2016: "education, education, education - no matter how much you hate it, stick with it. It's your way to living a productive, independent life and making a contribution to society." www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for...
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Delighted to have the support of the @instpublichealth.bsky.social at our conference to discuss further, higher & continuing education provision across the island of Ireland. IPH's Chief Executive, Suzanne Costello, will chair the panel on 17 September. Join us: www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for...
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
The best debate and discussion on talent, qualifications, universities, UCAS and the CAO will take place at next week's CCBC Annual Conference. Education, business, policymaking and civil society leaders will examine issues affecting employees and employers. www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for...
Collage of nine images from the 2025 annual conference featuring speakers, delegates and sponsors. We're really looking forward to the 2026 debate and discussion.
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Ciara King and Una McCabe from Ohk Energy will be presenting at our annual conference next week on "Qualification Recognition - A barrier to cross-border trade and employment". 📆 Thursday 17 September 🕖 Breakfast from 8am 📍 Dundalk www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for... #ccbcconf #qualifications
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Anthony Soares @anthonysoares.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Tickets for the 2026 @ccbscrossborder.bsky.social Annual Conference selling out. Get yours now! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/centre-for...
eventbrite.co.uk
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation's Conference 2026
The CCBC Annual Conference takes place on Thursday 17 September - panel discussions, challenging debate, networking and guest speakers.
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Anthony Soares @anthonysoares.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Tickets for the 2026 @ccbscrossborder.bsky.social Annual Conference selling out. Get yours now! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/centre-for...
eventbrite.co.uk
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation's Conference 2026
The CCBC Annual Conference takes place on Thursday 17 September - panel discussions, challenging debate, networking and guest speakers.
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Sponsor news: Cross-Border Collaboration to Activate the Skills Ecosystem Damian Duffy, Principal & CEO at Belfast Met, will discuss the C-CASE project involving @ulsteruni.bsky.social, the Confederation of British Industry, Staffline and SOLAS on 17 September. www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for...
Image of Damian Duffy smiling at the camera.
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Prof John Doyle, Vice President for Research at @dublincityuni.bsky.social - and a Board Member at the @crossborder.bsky.social - will discuss Creating talent - the supply side at our conference. 📅 Thursday 17 September ⏰ 9.15am 📍 Ballymascanlon Hotel, Dundalk www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for...
Image of Prof John Doyle smiling at the camera.
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Delighted to have @intertradeireland.bsky.social support our annual conference on Thursday 17 September in Dundalk - its Strategy & Policy Manager Siobhán Fearon will moderate panel 3 on attracting, nurturing and retaining talent. Join us: www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for... #ccbcconf #policy
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Guest interview - Shane Kelly, BORMAC Aidan Campbell interviews Shane about the work of the Border Region Manufacturing Cluster. Its members are private manufacturing businesses, academic institutes & government agencies. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqs5... @atu-ie.bsky.social ~ @entirl.bsky.social
youtube.com
Guest Interview - Shane Kelly, BORMAC Cluster Manager
YouTube video by Centre for Cross Border Cooperation
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Conference co-headline sponsor: EPIC Futures NI @ulsteruni.bsky.social's Prof Malachy Ó Néill said: “Talent does not stop at borders, and neither do the challenges and opportunities involved in developing the skills and workforce our regions need." www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for... #CCBCconf
epicfuturesni.org
Epic Futures NI
EPIC Futures is dedicated to creating a prosperous and sustainable future for Northern Ireland. With a 'place-based' focus the partnership brings together academia, policymakers, business, community a...
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Senior Research Associate Michael D'Arcy reflects on the Fleadh held this month in Belfast. He argues that the success of the event was underpinned by the values and the conditions created by the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. crossborder.ie/news/belfast... Image courtesy of Tourism Ireland
crossborder.ie
Fundamentally the Fleadh succeeded by embodying the principles of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement - The Centre for Cross Border Cooperation | CBS
Share this page:  Michael D’Arcy, CCBC Senior Research Associate, writes about the Fleadh Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann which was held in Belfast for the first time a few weeks ago generated unprecedented...
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Alistair Stewart is Director of Civic Engagement and Strategic Communications at @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social where he builds partnerships and influences key stakeholders. 📅 Thursday 17 September ⏰ 9.15am 📍 Ballymascanlon Hotel & Golf Resort, Dundalk www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for...
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
After #GCSEs & #ALevels, Aidan Garner studied #Politics, #Philosophy and #Economics at @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social, & completed an MSc in Public Policy at @ucl.ac.uk. He co-founded the West Belfast #Chess Club and works as a researcher at a cross-party think tank. crossborder.ie/conferences/...
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Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
2020: Beth Dunbar completed her #ALevels & began a 3-year politics and sociology degree at @universityofleeds.bsky.social. 2024: Beth completed an MSc in public policy and management at @glasgow.ac.uk. 2026: Beth works at the MOJ and will speak at our conference. crossborder.ie/conferences/...
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Annual conference: talent has never been more topical! Great discussion on • accessing the initial provision of skills from educational institutions • attracting and nurturing talent • retaining talent once it has been created 📅 17 September ⏰ 9.15am 📍 Dundalk www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for...
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Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
2020: Molly Clifford completed her A-Levels and began a 5-year medicine degree at @ucc.ie. 2025: Molly and her daddy, Andrew, travelled through 8 countries on the BBC series "Race Across the World". 2026: Molly is a doctor in Dublin and will speak at our conference. crossborder.ie/conferences/...
Photograph of Molly Clifford and her daddy, Andrew, smiling at the camera. They teamed up for "Race Across the World" and finished as runners-up in the 2026 series.
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
“Creating, strengthening and retaining talent on the island of Ireland” Claire McGee was appointed as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Technological Universities Association (TUA) in April 2026. 📅 Thursday 17 September ⏰ 9.15am 📍 Dundalk www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for... #ccbcconf
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Do you want to • identify a partner organisation for a cross-border project? • learn how to plan sessions in a cross-border project? • identify issues to be addressed through your project? • find out how to create and evidence the inputs and outputs of your project? crossborder.ie/what-we-do/p...
A presentation slide from the course - Understanding the need to be addressed by your cross-border project.
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
"A unique gathering from all walks of life coming together to discuss and promote cross border cooperation" - 2025 conference delegate 📅 Thursday 17 September ⏰ 9.15am 📍 Ballymascanlon Hotel & Golf Resort, Dundalk Conference tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for... #ccbcconf #unique #gathering
Dark blue text in a white speech bubble on a dark green background with the CCBC logo that reads - A unique gathering from all walks of life coming together to discuss and promote cross border cooperation.
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Annual conference: Challenging debate, critical networking, industry leaders The premier cross-border conference for practitioners, academics, officials and policy makers - the networking event you don't want to miss. 📅 Thursday 17 September Conference tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for...
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
"Very often regulations are developed and there is no real attention paid to those involved in cross-border mobility. They fall through the cracks, basically, and information is not made immediately apparent." - @anthonysoares.bsky.social businesspost.ie/companies/bu... #crossborder #mobility
businesspost.ie
Business groups call for urgent reform of cross-border tax rules affecting workers
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Annual conference: Attracting, nurturing and retaining talent Maeve McElwee (Ibec), Kirsty McManus (Institute of Directors), Lisa Wilson (Nevin Economic Research Institute - NERI) & John McDonagh (Waterways Ireland) will discuss how to attract and keep talent. www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for...
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
"An essential event for any organisation engaged in cross border collaboration" - 2025 conference delegate 📅 Thursday 17 September ⏰ 9.15am 📍 Ballymascanlon Hotel & Golf Resort, Dundalk crossborder.ie/conferences/... #CCBCconf #crossborder #research #collaboration #cooperation #events #networking
Green text in a white speech bubble on a dark blue background with the CCBC logo that reads - An essential event for any organisation engaged in cross border collaboration.
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Academy of Social Sciences @acadsocsciences.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Have you read this blog✍️ by @anthonysoares.bsky.social which explores cross-border arrangements on the island of Ireland 10 years on from Brexit & which makes the case for maintaining the necessary conditions for closer connections beyond trade? Read now➡️ acss.org.uk/northern-ire...
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Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Lisa Wilson, Senior Economist at the Nevin Economic Research Institute, is speaking at our annual conference in Dundalk. Lisa's work relates to the labour market, income distribution, & living standards. Early bird tickets are available until 24 June: www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for... #CCBCconf
Image of Lisa Wilson.
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Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Kirsty McManus, National Director at the Institute of Directors NI, is a panellist at our annual conference on 17 September in Dundalk. Kirsty has oversight for the development, delivery & assessment of the highly-regarded Chartered Director qualification. crossborder.ie/conferences/... #CCBCconf
Image of Kirsty McManus.
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Delegates at this year's CCBC annual conference on Thursday 17 September in Dundalk will hear from the Institute of Directors, Ibec, Nevin Economic Research Institute and Waterways Ireland on attracting, developing and retaining talent. Conference tickets 👉 eventbrite.com/e/centre-for... #CCBCconf
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Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Delegates at this year's CCBC annual conference will hear from former students of @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social, @ucc.ie & @universityofleeds.bsky.social on what influenced their choices as school leavers. Be an Early Bird 👉 www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for... #CCBCconf @dublincityuni.bsky.social
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Conference: “Creating, strengthening and retaining talent on the island of Ireland” Barney Ely, Senior Managing Director Ireland & Northern Ireland at Hays, will be the keynote speaker on Thursday 17 September. Early Bird conference tickets on sale until 21 July: www.eventbrite.com/e/centre-for...
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Inspiring day at the 5th #SharedIsland Forum, where the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, spoke on North-South and East-West cooperation and the Good Friday Agreement. Today's conversations were full of positivity and hope for the future, much of which can only be grasped through cross-border cooperation.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin delivered the keynote address. Photograph of event moderator Bryan Dobson with the Taoiseach Micheál Martin on stage.Photograph of one of the two bands that performed at the event.Photograph of Bryan Dobson with the six panellists who discussed Shared Home Place.
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Reposted by Anthony Soares
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
• Do employers look across to the other jurisdiction on the island of Ireland and/or elsewhere? If not, why not? • How do they retain talent? • What prompts people to leave an employer? What makes them stay? Conference discussions, sponsorship & early-bird tickets 👉 crossborder.ie/conferences/...
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Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Anthony is in Dublin for the Fifth #SharedIsland Forum this morning. The Centre for Cross Border Cooperation's Sustaining the New Common Charter project is supported by the Shared Island Civic Society Fund, administered by the Irish Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The stage in function room for today's Forum.
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Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Thank you to everyone who attended last week's cross-border networking event. Our next meeting will be on 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟴 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 in Rural Community Network, Cookstown, Co Tyrone. The final event in this series of Common Charter meetings will be in Dublin in November. crossborder.ie/what-we-do/p...
Screen shot of 18 people who attended the June meeting.
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Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
New research: The Collective Contribution of the Strand 2 Implementation Bodies Michael D'Arcy examines the collective success of the North South Implementation Bodies and Phase Two of the CCBC's S2@25 Project - and the potential for reset and refresh. crossborder.ie/reports/s225... #research
Cover of the report, with the CCBC and S2@25 logos, that reads - The Collective Contribution of Strand 2 Implementation Bodies | S2@25 Project Report.
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Anthony Soares @anthonysoares.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Great to see leaders from all 12 cities on the island of Ireland, along with the former Mayor of New York City, @billdeblasionyc.bsky.social, the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, @davidskaith.bsky.social, and the Mayor of West of England, Helen Godwin, at the #SummitoftheCities.
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Anthony Soares @anthonysoares.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
I'm very grateful to @ryanjfeeney.bsky.social for acknowledging the work of @ccbscrossborder.bsky.social as he addresses representatives from all 12 cities on the island of Ireland at the #SummitoftheCities.
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Anthony Soares @anthonysoares.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
The stage is set for the #SummitoftheCities in Belfast City Hall. A gathering of all 12 cities on the island of Ireland to discuss challenges and opportunities for the benefit of citizens. I'm very grateful to have been invited to attend on behalf of @ccbscrossborder.bsky.social.
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Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Ten years ago on this date, the UK voted to leave the EU in the #Brexit #referendum. Our report outlines the Centre's focus on #cooperation & #relations and the Good Friday Agreement. It covers the research briefings and responses to various parliamentary inquiries. crossborder.ie/reports/10-y...
crossborder.ie
10 years on from the Brexit referendum - The Centre for Cross Border Cooperation
Share this page:  Safeguarding cross-border cooperation and the Good Friday Agreement: The Centre’s journey A decade on from the referendum that would see the United Kingdom end its membership of the ...
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Centre for Cross Border Cooperation @crossborder.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
"A truly worthwhile course, expertly designed and delivered by leaders in cross‑border collaboration" - Alanna Hughes, Schools' Advocate The next 6-week 'Getting Started with Cross Border Collaboration' course starts at 11am on Tuesday 1 September. Find out more at crossborder.ie/what-we-do/p...
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