WHO WE ARE The Northern Ireland Bureau is the diplomatic mission of the Northern Ireland Executive in the United States and Canada. Our team of six full-time staff members operates out of offices in Washington, DC and New York. Our mission is to help cultivate and strengthen links between various political, economic, educational, and cultural interests in Northern Ireland and North America. We take a proactive role in identifying and developing mutually-beneficial partnerships with organisations across a range of sectors. We are also a resource for individuals and organisations looking to learn more about Northern Ireland, and about its relationship with the United States and Canada. WHAT WE DO Our primary role is to promote Northern Ireland as a confident, competitive and outward-looking region. We achieve this by leveraging diverse political, economic and social links to help identify potential areas for collaboration and partnership within North America. Such areas include: trade and investment; tourism; education; arts and culture; and politics and peace building. We work closely with organisations, businesses, and institutions throughout the year to showcase the many positive developments and contributions—political, academic, cultural and civic—that are of interest to our North American audience. WHY WE MATTER Although we represent the smallest region in the United Kingdom, the Bureau’s influence in North America is significant. Over 34.5 million Americans, and nearly 16 percent of Canadians, trace their ancestry to Northern Ireland. This means that in North America, the “Northern Ireland” brand is particularly strong. As a result, we have access to an extensive network of contacts and resources working to support our mission. This allows us to reach upwards of 15,000 people each year through various programs and outreach initiatives, including: public lectures, academic workshops, political briefings, cultural showcases, and networking receptions.