The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Brian Cowen, and Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny are to feature in a conference organised by the SDLP this weekend reflecting on "the nature and needs of modern Ireland".
Politicians, clergymen, academics, business, trade union and voluntary sector leaders will all feature at the event to be held in Belfast on Saturday.
SDLP leader, Mr Mark Durkan will make a keynote address focusing on politics in the era of the Good Friday Agreement.
The event will consist of three seminars - the first dealing with the economy and social justice issues, the second on cultural diversity and prejudice and the final tackling the new politics created by the Agreement.
The sessions will be chaired by the North's Finance Minister Mr Sean Farren, and SDLP chairman Mr Alex Attwood and Employment and Learning Minister Ms Carmel Hanna.
Other speakers include ICTU assistant general secretary Mr Peter Bunting, NICEM director Patrick Yu and newspaper columnists Roy Garland and Malachi O'Doherty.
Deputy leader Ms Brid Rodgers, who announced on Tuesday she would not be contesting the next Assembly election, will open the conference.
"We want to celebrate the rich and diverse character of contemporary Irish society and explore the huge opportunities presented by the Good Friday Agreement to enrich the whole island," Mr Attwood said.
PA