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Reflective, action-based research -
Participants with leadership potential/roles in communities embark on journey of deep dialogue -
Uncovers the role of faith in cultivating positive relationships between people, and addressing divisions caused by faith -
Accredited and non-accredited training -
Group storytelling out of which relationships are built with the ‘same’ and the ‘other’ -
Spread the learning and deepened relationships from the core group process within participants’ local areas -
Single-identity programme, occurring as part of a parallel process across an interface/generation/locality/national identity divide -
Leading Ladies builds the capacity of women to step into their own leadership at their own level
Our Programmes
COUNCILS NETWORK FOR PEACE 08/09/11
COUNCILS NETWORK FOR PEACE
8th September 2011
Local Council staff and representatives from the community and voluntary sector throughout Northern Ireland met at the Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast on Thursday 8th September to discuss potential opportunities for collaboration in peace-building and Good Relations work. The event was hosted by the Irish Peace Centres – a consortium of three peace-building organisations – Co-operation Ireland, Corrymeela, Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation.
The involvement of the statutory sector in peace-building continues to be an on-going priority in urban and rural areas in Northern Ireland. The Irish Peace Centres – an EU Peace III funded programme aims to build and strengthen networks across sectors to deliver peace-building activities in a collaborative way.
The meeting used creative methods of engaging delegates, to share information on the range of different programmes that are being concurrently run across the province. The large attendance at the event demonstrated the willingness of good relations departments within Councils to avail of a networking opportunity that brought their colleagues across Northern Ireland together. The Irish Peace Centres programme staff took the opportunity to inform the councils of the work that they carry out within communities, at interface areas and in targeted regions throughout the province. The outcome of this event will be greater collaboration and consultation between councils and peace practitioners at all levels. There was a widespread representation of councils at the event including representatives from the Republic of Ireland border regions.
Laura Stewart, IPC Co-ordinator said: “As funding for peace programmes becomes increasingly competitive, events such as this mark a significant opportunity to explore ways of working together, and utilising resources for peace-building to maximum effect. By identifying similar programmes with similar communities or groups, we can seek to avoid duplication which continues to be an issue in our field. Not all staff in Councils have the occasion to experience peace-building work at the coalface; with the experience and knowledge of peace-building within and between communities, Irish Peace Centres aims to provide complementarity to the work carried out by statutory bodies.”
The feedback from the participants indicated that networking opportunities are invaluable to development but getting an insight into the work that takes place at interface level is crucial to forward strategic planning.
