The Washington Ireland Program (WIP) have honoured two of Northern Ireland’s leading advocates

The Washington Ireland Program (WIP) have honoured two of Northern Ireland’s leading advocates for social justice, human rights and peacebuilding at their annual Ball. Leading social entrepreneur

Eva Grosman and top human rights lawyer Gráinne Mellon have been awarded the inaugural “Spirit of WIP” awards for their contributions to society and to their respective fields. The awards are testament to them representing the values of WIP; they demonstrate decisive leadership in careers rooted in public service.

The awards were presented by WIP alumna, Emma Pengelly MLA, the recently appointed Junior Minister in the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

Speaking ahead of the awards presentation WIP’s Executive Director Bryan Patten said:

“Gráinne and Eva represent WIP’s core values of bold leadership combined with a long term commitment to public service. Both have shown a dedication to their work that goes far beyond normal professional commitments and that typifies the ethos our program works so hard to cultivate.”

Eva has been at the forefront of political life in Northern Ireland in recent years, founding the award winning Unite against Hate campaign and TEDxStormont.   She is the Executive Director of the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building, where she has led innovative projects like ‘Music Unite – An Unexpected Journey’.  Music Unite joined musicians from a Loyalist flute band and musicians from the Muslim community to celebrate diversity and consider what it means to share one place as many different people.

“I’m absolutely honoured to be the first recipient of the Spirit of WIP Award. Almost every day of my working week I interact with MLAs, business and civic leaders and other remarkable individuals, who took part in the Washington Ireland Program. I recognise the contribution the WIP alumni make to the wider society and I’m delighted to be working among them in the shared project of building a better future for all” (Eva Grosman).

WIP also presented an award to London Barrister, Gráinne Mellon.  Gráinne was a member of the WIP Class of 2005, and is now a prominent human rights lawyer and led a career shaped by her own belief in social justice. She has worked on some of the major global human rights issues of our day including with the Centre for Constitutional Rights in New York on high-profile Guantanamo Bay cases and also with the UN Human Rights Committee and the International Criminal Court.

“I am delighted and honoured to be the first recipient of the Alumni Spirit of WIP award. The Washington Ireland Programme has, for me, made so many things possible. I am proud to be involved with a programme that is committed to building the next generation of leaders in Ireland, North and South.” (Gráinne Mellon).

Gráinne and Eva were both presented with original art works from the Kilrea artist, Adrian Margey.

For more information, visit www.wiprogram.org