Frequently Asked Questions

Irish Peace Centres is a regional project that combines both local  and international experience to deliver a common working and sharing of peace across and between local communities on the island of Ireland.

The Irish Peace Centres consortium comprises four leading organisations that have a longstanding and commendable commitment to peace building and reconciliation through shared working and a common strategic vision.  The partners within the consortium have a wide geographic spread across the island of Ireland.

The four partners within the consortium are:

• Co-operation Ireland (lead partner)
• The Corrymeela Community
• The Donegal Peace Centre at An Teach Bán
• Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation

The programme delivers a number of interrelated activities, which are centred on key themes:

• Reconciliation work in interface communities
• Capturing and sharing learning through research, seminars and conferences
• Creating breathing spaces for crucial conversations
• Intergenerational work

Through the different peace-building projects undertaken by each Activity strand, the project aims to create a shared space for developing existing dialogues and creating new dialogues between and within communities and groups.  

The common vision is to create a safe and secure place where positive and sustainable relationships can flourish.  It is envisaged that a network of people and groups will grow out of the consortium.  These emerging groups will contribute to a change in attitudes and behaviours relating to sectarian and racism.
 

No, Irish Peace Centres takes a collective and comprehensive approach to wider peace-building and reconciliation.  The partners within the consortium are indicative of Irish Peace Centres approach to building positive relationships on the island of Ireland – both within Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and between the North and South.

Irish Peace Centres also has an international dimension.  The programme recognises that successful peace-building processes on the island of Ireland can inform the learning and endeavours of peace-building in other conflict areas.  More on Irish Peace Centres’ international dimension can be found on our Prejudice and Pride page.

Irish Peace Centres consortium is positioned within a dynamic network of groups, individuals and organisations that are committed to promoting reconciliation and good relations.  Those involved in the programme include:

• Local Authorities and government agencies
• Community groups
• Ex-combatants
• Faith groups
• Womens’ groups
• Minority Ethnic groups
• Young People

If you would like to find out how to become involved in any of Irish Peace Centres' activities, contact us.

There are a range of different programmes and facilities available for participants.  Participants usually get involved in those programmes that best match their needs and what they hope to gain from getting involved in the programme. 

Some of the facilities and projects happening at the moment include:

• Residential events
• Facilitated training
• Developmental Activities from storytelling to accredited Good Relations Courses.
• Exchanges with other groups
• Resource materials
• Discussion groups

Each activity strand recognises that by integrating our approaches and the groups we work with, we are greater than the sum of our separate parts. While each activity strand has areas of expertise, there are clear lines of collaboration, where approaches developed under one activity strand can underpin and reinforce the work being carried out under another.

Irish Peace Centres has engaged with young people through youth groups and different one-off initiatives involving young people. 

Young people can come together in a secure and shared space where, through different activities which span from creative arts to wilderness treks, they can enter into dialogue with their peers from different religious and cultural traditions in our society. 

The activities encourage open dialogue, an inclusive approach to sharing ideas and experiences on the critical issues affecting young people in post-conflict society.

The conflict may be over, but the peace-building continues.  The lasting legacy of the conflict needs to be explored by young people; through engagement in Irish Peace Centres projects, young people can become empowered to address the enduring tensions and issues that young people face, living in a post-conflict society.  Young people have a significant role to play in peace-building and reconciliation.