iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

Following the autocrat’s playbook, Trump and his MAGA cartel are attacking alternative sources of power; universities, the media, and the judiciary — all of which pose a threat to the unchecked power Trump seeks. My latest for Byline Times bylinetimes.com/2025/04/30/t...

bylinetimes.com

'Trump's War on Academic Institutions Is Even Worse Than You Think'

This is the greatest assault on academic freedoms in generations, argues Emma DeSouza

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Secretary of State Hilary Benn is dragging 87-year-old widow Bridie Brown to the Supreme Court in London, refusing to accept the court order to launch a public enquiry into the murder of her husband Sean Brown. I cannot express how grosteque this is. Utterly utterly shameful.

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

As a peace activist, I am far less concerned by the artistic expression of music artists than I am by the human suffering being endured by the people of Palestine. My view on the furore around Kneecap: www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...

irishexaminer.com

Kneecap backlash grows — but genocide in Gaza continues without consequence

When people are more outraged about a band’s political statements than about the brutal deaths of thousands of children, something is very wrong

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

Slán Ireland! I'll be in New York, Washington, and Chicago over the next two weeks. Heading straight from the airport in New York to deliver a guest talk on peace processes later today, just how I like it - flat out!

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Just Jim Wells saying Irish citizens in Northern Ireland who want to vote for their president should move across the border. No problem with British citizens in Dublin having UK voting rights - just not themmuns. www.newstalk.com/podcasts/hig...

newstalk.com

Should people in Northern Ireland be able to vote for the President? | Newstalk

Aóntu submitted a bill in the Dáil last week calling for voting rights in Presidential election...

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

There is nothing controversial about Kneecap. Art being provocative is as old as time. Music has long been a vehicle for challenging oppression and injustice, especially rock and hip hop. Rage against the Machine, N.W.A., Public Enemy. Music and politics go hand in hand.

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

It will be civic society that moves the dial on a United Ireland, not political leaders. Change, whether it was the Good Friday Agreement or repealing the 8th amendment, came from ground up.

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

Rounding out the week with a glass of homemade apple wine, circa 2021.

Emma wearing an oversized beige jumper in the garden with a glass of wine

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

My view: We can not continue to celebrate the success of the Good Friday Agreement while bereaved families are denied justice. Families are spending decades trying to access truth and justice. Many have died without seeing either. Many might still. www.thejournal.ie/readme/bridi...

thejournal.ie

Good Friday Agreement: So many families of those who died in the Troubles have been ignored

On the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, Emma DeSouza says we cannot continue to celebrate its success while bereaved families are denied justice.

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

This should be easy pickings for the Democratic Party, but rather than counter the Trumpification of the Republicans, the Democrats are flailing in the wind, directionless, while the ideological divide in America widens. My latest via @thejournal.ie www.thejournal.ie/readme/trump...

thejournal.ie

Opinion: At the rate Trump is going, it will be a long four-year term

Emma DeSouza says while the Democrats struggle to voice any coherent opposition, Trump will continue at speed to reshape American democracy.

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

I'll be back in the US in a couple of weeks to deliver a guest talk on the power of civic engagement in peacebuilding at Cornell University. Very much look forward to meeting students and staff at the Reppy Institute. events.cornell.edu/event/the-po...

events.cornell.edu

The Power of Civic Engagement in Peacebuilding

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

My recent article for the Belfast Telegraph on citizens assemblies. 84 citizens delivered 38 policy recommendations via an assembly model in November. Politicians already committed to launching one assembly a year, so where are they? Why is civic society having to launch them?

Citizens assemblies: how they could unlock NIs voice in the housing crisis

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

A northerner should run in the Irish presidential election as a reminder of the abject failure of consecutive governments to give Irish citizens in the North a vote in presidential elections. We can run for the office of the president, but we can't vote for our president.

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

So looking forward to taking part in this panel discussion next Saturday as part of @imaginebelfast.bsky.social 'How to lose a referendum!' Featuring a pre-panel referendum quiz, come along and have your say! Register ⬇️ imaginebelfast.com/event/how-to...

imaginebelfast.com

How to lose a Referendum! - Imagine! Belfast

Test your knowledge with our referendum quiz before a panel of experts explore the dynamics and explain the pitfalls.

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Israel killed at least 174 Palestinian children on Tuesday, inflicting “one of the largest one-day child death tolls” in the enclave’s history, says Defense for Children – Palestine.

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

“Today, Gaza’s one million children – who have endured more than 15 months of war – have been plunged back into a world of fear and death. The attacks and the violence must stop – now,” UNICEF’s Executive Director Catherine Russell

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said all ceasefire negotiations will take place “under fire” after Israel resumed its assault on the gaza strip killing hundreds of civilians including women and children, breaking the ceasefire. We are witnessing a genocide in real time.

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Celebrating St Patrick's Day and the global impact of the Irish community with Ireland’s mission to the UN team in New York City last night. Important remarks from the UN Ambassador & Tánaiste on resilience amid global challenges to peace and security.

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

Join me at Fairfield University Tuesday evening, where I'll be delivering a guest lecture, 'When Citizens' Decide: The Role of Youth, Women, and Communities in Advancing Northern Ireland's Peace Process' Information and registration ⬇️ events.fairfield.edu/event/guest-...

events.fairfield.edu

Guest Speaker, Emma DeSouza: “When Citizens Decide: The Role of Youth,Women, and Communities in AdvancingNorthern Ireland’s Peace Process"

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

What we are seeing in the US is a complete dismantling of the founding principles the country was built on. Everything is being politicised down ideological lines. Law firms are having their security clearances revoked for working with democrats. The free press is under seige.

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

In November, 84 citizens ratified 38 policy recommendations to address NI's housing crisis. Could empowering communities through a citizens’ assembly structure be key in gaining momentum after decades of political inertia? My latest via The Belfast Telegraph m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/feature...

m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Citizens’ assemblies: how they could unlock NI’s voice in the housing crisis

Citizens’ assemblies function by bringing together a representative group from society to discuss and make recommendations regarding a set issue. In the context of Northern Ireland, 84 citizens were r...

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Such a joy to host Siobhán McSweeney in New York City for a special National Committee on American Foreign Policy luncheon. Over lunch, we spoke about belonging, identity, resilience, representation, and building understanding North and South in Ireland. Siobhán is an inspiration, a trailblazer!

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

Slán Ireland! I'll be in the US for the next 3 weeks with stops in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington DC. I'll be delivering a series of guest lectures on peace processes, women, peace and security, politics, and Irish unity. First stop NYC!

Emma walking through the airport wearing a grey jumper with a pink hat and green bag

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

The election results in Germany are a warning to United Irelanders; a land grab of the North will not unite the people of this island. Advocates for a United Ireland must make the case for a new, unified state. My latest via @thejournal.ie www.thejournal.ie/readme/unite...

thejournal.ie

United Ireland and the lessons from Germany: 'We should not make the same mistakes'

Emma DeSouza says Ireland north and south could do well to learn the lessons of German reunification.

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

I am Irish. Being born in Derry does not make me less Irish than someone born in Dublin. Living in Fermanagh does not make me less Irish than someone living in Monaghan. The president of Ireland is my president. The president represents all the people of Ireland.

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

New LucidTalk polling for the Civic Initiative shows public backing for greater cross-border cooperation in several areas, including infrastructure (71%), health (67%) and economic development (60%)

Polling bar chart including health, housing, education, immigration, infrastructure and economic development

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Martina Devlin is repping us women like the legend she is, but #BBCTheView needs to do better. 6 men, and 1 woman to discuss a United Ireland. Women make up 50% of the population. The in studio panel was a manel. Not good enough.

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

New polling carried by LucidTalk on behalf of the Civic Initiative shows public backs the use of Citizens' Assemblies by the NI Assembly 1,051 full responses, poll carried January 22-26 Report launching on Monday at QUB. Register: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/civic-init...

Polling on Citizens assemblies, 69% yes, 23% no, 8% don't know

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

This, alongside suggestions for a query facility for MLAs & MPs around passports and consular issues in NI, a joint sitting of the Dail na nOg & the Northern Ireland Youth Assembly as well as all-Ireland Consultative Civic Forums, are quite good ideas. m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/republi...

m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Sinn Fein calls for ‘Irish Unity week’ in Dail parliament

Sinn Fein has called for an “Irish Unity week” in the Republic of Ireland’s parliament which would see MLAs and Northern Ireland MPs contributing to debates.

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

Back to Fermanagh after a day of Dublin meetings with the goods: Nomo Ramen.

Emma walking in Dublin in a brown coat with a pink food bag

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

Mark Hennessy: ‘No one’s talking about it’: How Irish unity has slid down the political agenda We are being collectively failed by a lack of political courage and leadership to advance unity from a governmental level. www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...

irishtimes.com

Mark Hennessy: ‘No one’s talking about it’ - How Irish unity has slid down the political agenda

Tánaiste Simon Harris’s suggestion in Stormont recently that unification is ‘not a priority’ for him surprised few people

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

UK citizens living abroad retain the right to vote in UK general elections. A lifelong right. Irish citizens are broadly denied all voting rights when outside the 26 counties. This is not normal. Over 125 countries enfranchise their citizens abroad. Ireland is an outlier.

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

Researching housing statistics for an article this morning and having to do a double take at & new dwellings stats: Just 89 new social housing dwelling starts in the first two quarters of 2024/25 compared to 1,508 in 2023/24 Meanwhile, 48,366 households are on the waiting list

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

In 2020, Fianna Fáil & Fine Gael committed to holding a referendum to extend presidential voting rights for Irish citizens in NI & abroad in the lifetime of the last government. They didn't. Both parties have dropped this pledge. I won't get to vote for my president this year.

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

It was such a pleasure to deliver two guest talks at John Carroll University in Cleveland yesterday. In the morning, I spoke with Irish studies students on positive vs. negative peace, followed by an evening public lecture on effecting societal change.

Emma speaking at a lecturn wearing a brown jacket and brown trousers

Emma standing at the front of a classroom speaking to students

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

A brisk (-6c) walk through Acacia Reservation this morning before I head over to John Carroll University. I'll be delivering two guest talks today: How Youth, Women, and Communities Make Social Change Peace-Building in Post-conflict Societies: From Negative to Positive Peace

Emma wearing a pink hat and brown coat in a snowy forest

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Taoiseach nominates 11 senators to Seanad Éireann - not one from the North. Since 2002, only 3 people from NI have been nominated. If Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael were serious about a shared island, they would give the North a voice.

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

As an Irish citizen in the North, I can run for the office of President, but I can't vote for the President. Disappointed that not only did FG-FF not bring forward the referendum to extend the franchise, but both have dropped the commitment entirely. www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...

irishtimes.com

What kind of president do voters want when Michael D Higgins' term ends and who might run?

Mairead McGuinness, Heather Humphreys, Bertie Ahern, Tommy Tiernan and Conor McGregor among names bandied about

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

We are being collectively failed by political leaders unwilling to advance preparation for a referendum on Irish unity. The Irish government has a constitutional imperative to unite this island, yet refusing to work towards it. www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...

irishtimes.com

Trends show rise in support for Irish unity among Northern voters

Northern Protestants remain overwhelmingly against unity but show growing losers' consent

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

Trump proudly suggests a US invasion of Gaza, the mass displacement of the Palestinian people, calls Gaza "hell", a "demolition site" next to the grinning war criminal that did it. This is ethnic cleansing. Genocide. And would be an illegal invasion.

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

If you could have breakfast anywhere in Dublin, where would it be?

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Taoiseach nominees are likely to be announced this week. A prime opportunity to increase representation for underrepresented communities and to bolster expertise. Democracy and representation would be strengthened with migrant, disability, Northern, and disapora nominations.

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Delivering two guest lectures at John Carroll University in Ohio next week: ➡️ How Youth, Women, & Communities Make Social Change ➡️ Peace-Building in Post-conflict Societies: From Negative to Positive Peace Followed by Villanova University, Fairfield University, & Cornell

Emma in a black and white suit speaking at a lectern

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Trump acting like he forced Canada's hand on border security with the tariffs bluff when Canada announced the $1.3 billion investment to bolster security at the border in December. www.canada.ca/en/public-sa...

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Independent Senator Eileen Flynn makes history, again! As the first traveller to elected to Seanad Éireann. Hearty congratulations!

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Newly-elected Sinn Féin Senator Conor Murphy has said he will help advance the debate around Irish Unity in the Oireachtas. Tanaiste Harris recently said unity was not a priority for him. Taoiseach is reported to be nominating a unionist as a "countermove" to Murphys election.

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Northern Ireland's Economy Minister Conor Murphy is heading to Seanad Éireann.

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Emma Desouza @emmadesouza.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

New Irish government cabinet announced. 12 men. 3 women. Cabinet is 80 per cent male. Ireland has the lowest proportion of female parliamentarians in western Europe.

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