The British Irish Ulster Forum
The British Irish Ulster Forum (BIUF) is a political forum established in 2009 to promote discussion and debate AbOUT Northern Ireland.
Its website states that:
"BIUF is both explicitly non-politically aligned and non-sectarian. We are inclusive of a wide range of views, with attendance open to all. We are based in London, but our aims are to cross British and Irish borders. With contacts across Whitehall and Westminster, BIUF provides a unique opportunity for those with an interest in Northern Ireland to network, access, and exchange views with politicians, civil servants, and academics".
The Forum was founded by Chris Punch and Thomas Lowe, and has three main series of events: political, security and culture.
Launch event
BIUF launched on 11 November 2009 with its first event held in the Houses of Parliament, Westminster. The event, entitled 'Building Bridges, breaking ties: looking forward at Stormont' was chaired by Margaret Gilmore, former senior BBC correspondent and currently Senior Reaserch Fellow, Royal United Services Institute. On the speakers panel were the Conservative nominee for the Ulster Conservatives and Unionists â New Force parliamentary candidacy in North Down Ian James Parsley, the Social Democratic and Labour Party deputy leader (and recent leadership candidate) Alasdair McDonnell MP/MLA and Labour MP Chris Ruane.
During the discussion, the politician speakers spoke out against sectarian politics and outlined their visions for "a modern and mature Northern Ireland polity".