Northern Ireland

Commentary Ireland: the inside track on making peace

There are numerous places of historical conflict around the world where there is a clear need for helping those involved to find common ground. The current events in the Middle East and North Africa, in which popular uprisings are toppling, or at least trying to topple, long-standing regimes, are welcome. Yet there are no guarantees that a seamless shift to democracy will inexorably follow. Sadly, there is a real risk that new inter-community disputes will arise in those areas in the months and years ahead. Read more >>>

INCORE Peacebuilding Summer School

INCORE, the peacebuilding research centre in the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland, are still accepting applications for their 11th annual summer school, which this year will take place June 7th-11th. Three modules will run as part of the course. Read more >>>

Commentary UDA decommissioning in Northern Ireland

Good news today in Northern Ireland, where the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) has claimed to have completed putting their weapons beyond use. This comes some 5 weeks ahead of their February deadline, when the decommissioning body ceases to operate. The UDA claim was officially confirmed by General John De Chastelain, head of the international decommissioning body. Read more >>>

Commentary Religious cooperation and peace

In many conflicts around the world, groups are divided along religious lines – Catholic and Protestants in Northern Ireland, Muslims, Animists and Christians in Sudan, Muslims, Catholics and Orthodox Christians in Bosnia-Herzegovina. But have these conflicts been motivated by religion, or have other divides happened to fall along religious lines? What has been the role of religious beliefs? And how can religious groups work together for peace? Read more >>>

From the field Berlin 1961-1989, Belfast 1969-????

Following on from the discussion paper ‘A Process for Removing Interface Barriers’ by Tony Macaulay last year, a group of youth workers working in interface communities in Belfast have been meeting together to discuss the issue of Peace Walls, and to explore how to ensure that children and young people are fully involved in any process. The meetings have been co-ordinated by Youth Link NI, the inter-church youth work training organisation. Read more >>>

From the field Beacons & Bonfire Management

Groundwork Northern Ireland has been delivering on Belfast City Council’s Bonfire Management Programme for the past five years. Thirty communities across Belfast are now engaged in minimising the negative environmental impact of their bonfires, promoting family friendly festivals and engaging in discussions around cultural traditions & the impact of bonfires on Nationalist and minority ethnic communities. Read more >>>