We are pleased to welcome Rev. Dr. Gary Mason, Methodist minister who has played an integral role in the Northern Irish peace process, to speak on how his experiences can inform a peace process in the Middle East.

Gary is a close advisor to Protestant ex-combatants on the “civilianization” efforts of paramilitaries and was instrumental in facilitating negotiations with paramilitaries and government officials, a contribution formally recognized by the Queen in 2007. In 2009, Mason’s church was the stage from which Loyalist paramilitaries announced their weapons decommissioning. He also helped establish the $30 million Skainos project acknowledged as the largest faith-based redevelopment project in Western Europe. Mason has lectured in political and academic forums throughout Europe, South Africa, the Middle East and the U.S.A. on lessons from the Irish peace process. He has been interviewed on CNN, BBC, ITV and various radio programs.

Gary is also part of a small group of people who helped to facilitate the creation of a strategic plan for the US Administration in implementing The Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (MEPPA) of 2020 which was passed by the US Congress. In this role he advises and guides both Republicans and Democrats in strengthening civil society and developing grass roots peace building in the Israeli/Palestinian arena. In this advisory role he is drawing on the lessons he has learnt as a religious and civic leader in N. Ireland over the last thirty plus years, as well as his ongoing work in the Middle East region.

Among other positions, Gary is a Senior Research Fellow at the Edward Kennedy Institute for Conflict Intervention at Maynooth University in Ireland, a visiting Professor at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, a consultant to the Carter Center, and a partner to the Negotiation Strategies Institute, a Harvard University program on negotiation for Israelis and Palestinians and international diplomats.

Brought to you by Congregation Shearith Israel, Congregation Bet Haverim, Ma’alot, and the Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation Center (PACT) of Emory University.