- Published
Former US President Barack Obama has been awarded an honorary degree from Queen's University Belfast (QUB).
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Obama → publish → QUB
Receiving his doctorate, the 44th US president praised Northern Ireland's progress and challenged the next generation to continue building a peaceful and inclusive future.
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president → receive → future
The Good Friday Agreement peace agreement "is still a shining example of what can happen when people put aside old wounds and choose peace," he told university staff and students.
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he → shin → staff
During his visit to Northern Ireland, Obama was due to address an audience of paying fans in Belfast's O2 Arena on Tuesday night.
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Obama → address → night
Accepting the honorary doctorate during a special ceremony at QUB, Obama made a speech that touched on a number of subjects including the peace process and the role young people can play in shaping Northern Ireland's future.
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people → accept → future
Obama said that, while peace had transformed opportunities across Northern Ireland, its benefits must continue to be shared by all.
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benefits → say → all
Comparing Northern Ireland now to the place he encountered on a visit back in 2013, he said young people today faced significant challenges but also had reasons to remain hopeful.
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people → compare → reasons
"But," he added, "as we have seen in many countries, including in my home country the United States, peace and democracy are not inevitable.
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peace → add → country
They have to be chosen, again and again."
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They → have → ?
During the ceremony, Obama heard from Emma McAllister, a first-year Law with Politics student from north Belfast.
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Obama → hear → Belfast
McAllister first engaged with Queen's through a cross-community programme that helped young people from the Ardoyne and Shankill areas to access leadership and educational opportunities.
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people → engage → opportunities
After listening to McAllister, Obama said: "That's what peace makes possible.
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peace → listen → McAllister
And it's what Queen's and the supporters in this room are helping to make real."
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Queen → help → room
In his closing remarks, Obama set out a challenge for students.
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Obama → set → students
"And that is to keep showing the way," he said.
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he → keep → way
Queen's President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer congratulated Obama.
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Greer → congratulate → Obama
"We are privileged to welcome President Obama to Queen's.
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We → welcome → Queen
"His commitment to peace, dialogue and public service has left a lasting impact around the world, and particularly here in Northern Ireland."
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commitment → leave → Ireland
Why does QUB award honorary degrees?
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QUB → award → degrees
According to the university, honorary degrees are awarded to those who have achieved distinction or given significant service in one or more of a number of broad constituencies.
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who → accord → constituencies
This includes business and commerce, the arts, education, medicine, and more.
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This → include → business
In 2025, former Manchester United footballer Gary Neville received a QUB honorary degree for his contribution to sport, business, education and philanthropy.
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Neville → receive → sport
Other notable recipients include boxer Carl Frampton, poet Seamus Heaney, former Irish President Mary McAleese and playwright Brian Friel.
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recipients → include → Frampton
The Aporia
