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Programme

The Summit is a daytime and evening event with a full programme arranged from the evening of Sunday 9th March through to and including Wednesday 12th March. To make the most of your time with us we ask that by committing to attend the Summit you commit to our community and avoid making any other plans during the Summit.

Please note that all sessions will be delivered in English.

  • Sunday March 9

  • 14:00 – 16:00  Discover Belfast’s Remarkable History: A Special Sunday Afternoon Tour (Optional) | meet outside the Grand Central Hotel

    This unique experience will showcase some of the city’s most iconic and historically significant landmarks, offering a powerful glimpse into its fascinating past.

    Highlights of the tour include:

      • The Peace Wall that spans West Belfast, a striking symbol of the city’s recent history.
      • The evocative political murals of the Falls Road and Shankill Road, which stand on opposite sides of the Peace Wall, each telling their own story.  

    This tour is more than just a sightseeing experience — it’s an opportunity to delve into the heart of Belfast’s history, guided by the captivating storytelling of Dee Morgan, a highly regarded guide recommended by Visit Belfast. Informative, thought-provoking, and unforgettable, this tour is a must-do for anyone visiting the city.

    The best part? It’s completely free for GCSS delegates! Thanks to the generosity of Trevor and our Queen’s University Belfast hosts, we’ll also have a comfortable 52-seater coach as part of this enjoyable experience.

    This event is for pre-booked delegates only.

    15:00  Hotel check in begins

    18:45 – 19:15  Registration begins  |  Queen’s University Belfast – The Thomas J Moran Graduate School.

    19:15 – 22:00  Official opening welcome & reception  |  Queen’s University Belfast – The Thomas J Moran Graduate School.

  • Monday March 10

  • 06:30 – 08:15 Breakfast available at the Grand Central Hotel

    Seahorse Restaurant, 1st floor.

    08:45 – 11:00  Registration | Official Welcome & Gift Exchange | Queen’s University Belfast – Mandela Hall

    To get reacquainted with old friends and to make new ones, Summit Day 2 (Monday) will kick off with a gift exchange. Please bring a gift representing your region, place of work or your part of the world. Past gifts have included hats, t-shirts, scarves, sweatshirts, pint glasses and books. Feel free to be creative and bring something you would like to receive yourself!

    11:00 – 16:30  Awards | Programme Sessions | Lunch

    18:00 – 18:30  Optional Tour of Belfast City Hall

    This event is for pre-booked delegates only.

    18:30 – 23:30  Dinner and entertainment  |  Belfast City Hall

    We thank Belfast City Council for their kind generosity for the use of City Hall.

  • Tuesday March 11

  • 06:30 – 08:15 Breakfast available at the Grand Central Hotel

    Seahorse Restaurant, 1st floor.

    08:45 – 10:00  Tea & Coffee | Announcements from GCS Leadership | Queen’s University Belfast – Mandela Hall

    10:00 – 15:30  Awards | Programme Sessions | Lunch

    18:30 – 18:50 Coaches depart  |  outside The Grand Central Hotel

    19:00 – Late  Gala dinner and entertainment  |  Titanic Belfast

    Cocktail attire is the dress recommendation for our gala dinner.

  • Wednesday March 12

  • 07:00 – 09:45 Breakfast available at the Grand Central Hotel

    Seahorse Restaurant, 1st floor.

    10:15 – 11:00  Tea & Coffee | Announcements from GCS Leadership | Queen’s University Belfast – Mandela Hall

    11:00 – 15:00  Programme Session | Lunch | Close

    16:00 – 21:00  Closing Reception | The Dark Horse

  • Thursday March 13

  • 07:00 – 10:00 Breakfast available at the Grand Central Hotel

    Seahorse Restaurant, 1st floor.

    11:00  Hotel Check out