Director of federal relations joins Department of State delegation to Northern Ireland

LAWRENCE — Jack Cline, director of federal relations at the University of Kansas, is part of a delegation of U.S. Department of State officials, investors, entrepreneurs, philanthropists and representatives from academia to Belfast and Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

The purpose of the delegation is to seek potential partnerships and business opportunities with representatives in Northern Ireland. Andrew O’Brien, Secretary of State John Kerry’s special representative for global partnerships, will lead the delegation, which arrived in Northern Ireland this week and will be there through March 4.

“I look forward to the opportunity to discuss KU’s economic development efforts with a broader audience and to discuss new potential partnerships that can benefit our university and the region,” Cline said.

Cline was selected to represent a public university affiliated with the Association of American Universities, and he joins a representative from a private university on the delegation.

Today and March 1, the delegation will be in Belfast to meet with government officials and private sector representatives on economic climate and investment opportunities. The delegation will also make stops at local businesses and Queen’s University.

On March 2, the delegation will travel to Derry/Londonderry to meet with government representatives and gain a deeper understanding of the economic landscape. Later, the group will discuss partnership opportunities and increasing economic growth with government and private sector leaders.

The delegation will return to Belfast on March 3 to conduct wrap-up meetings and prepare for a larger investment delegation to take place in the future.