| Posted: Jan. 04 2005,16:22 |
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PROGRESS: Has your organization seen
progress toward a culture of peace and nonviolence in your domain of
action and in your constituency during the first half of the Decade? |
Yes
there has been progress towards a culture of peace and non-violence
here in Northern Ireland. We in the Lisburn Community Relations
Network have measure the progress by listening to people's attitude
towards the Good Friday Agreement and the desire to find a lasting
political settlement leading to conflict resolution and transformation.
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OBSTACLES: What are the most important obstacles that have prevented progress?
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Mistrust, fear and suspicion in and between the two communities (Protestant and Catholic) in Northern Ireland.
Discommissioning of paramilitary weapons.
The delay in setting up a democratic Government for Northern Ireland.
Human Rights Agenda not implemented
Main Catholic Political Party not supporting the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
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ACTIONS: What actions have been
undertaken by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence during the first half of the Decade?
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In
order to promote peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland the
Lisburn Community Relations Netwrok organised a Conference entitled
"Towards a Culture of Non-Violence - Myth or Possibility?" the key
speakers being representatives from the different paramilitary
organisations operating within the area. This conference was
organised in order for victims and perpetrators of violence to listen
and hear each other, and to ask difficult questions, it was not a truth
and reconciliation panel, nor was it about telling all and seeking
forgiveness, rather it was about witnessing even though, for some, it
was difficult to hear what these key speakers had to say.
Dialogue
groups were formed to discuss the impact and consequences of
sectarianism in Northern Ireland. These groups enabled
people from the two communities (protestant and catholic) to speak
about themselves and their hope for the future. For the first
time they witnessed each other's hurt, anger and isolation and
how the conflict had affected them. These groups also enabled
discussion around a Human Rights Agenda for Northern Ireland.
In
order to promote peace and non-violence among the youth, the Lisburn
Community Relations Network worked with the marginalised young people
of Lisburn City who would be involved in anti-social behaviour and
under paramilitary influence.
The organisation provides
facilitation, training and consultation on different peace-building
training programmes to promote good community relations, healing,
understanding and tolerance in and between the two communities as well
as raising awareness to the different cultures living in Northern
Ireland.
Recently the organisation initiated a workshop on how the
conflict of the past thirty five years has impacted on the community of
Northern Ireland resulting in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in certain
areas.
Networking with other organisations within the City of
Lisburn is an important and integral part of the peace-building work
being carried out by the organisation. This networking resulted
in three representatives returning to Columbus Ohio to present a
workshop on "Dealing with Marginalised Youth in Conflict - Lessons from
Ireland." They also presented in North Carolina. The
organisation believes networking locally, nationally and
internationally builds a stronger foundation for promoting peace and
reconciliation in this global village that we all share.
International
Peace Day is celebrated here in Northern Ireland representatives from
the network, as well as those from the different organisation attend
the local service to celebrate this important date.
Peacebuilding
and promoting a culture of peace is not an easy task for the Lisburn
Community Relations Network as the work is slow and challenging.
However we have seen small successes that have resulted in big
changes and we will continue to work until our task has been completed
- whenever that maybe.
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ADVICE: What advice would you like to
give to the Secretary-General and the General Assembly to promote a
culture of peace and nonviolence during the second half of the Decade? |
That the United Nations maintains its strong position as the main body for decisions about declaring war on another country.
To
support those at ground level who are working hard to promote peace and
nonviolence by finding a way to let us know who you are!!
To offer their support in financial terms as funding is needed to sustain projects.
Never stop promoting world peace
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PARTNERSHIPS: What partnerships and
networks does your organization participate in, thus strengthening the
global movement for a culture of peace? |
Ohio Resource Netwrok for Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities
University of Cincinnati - Conflict Resolution Education
University of North Carolina
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PLANS: What new engagements are
planned by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence in the second half of the Decade (2005-2010)? |
To
organise more dialogue groups in order for people to tell their stories
and have them witnessed by others. This telling of stories can
enable much healing and promotes peace.
To bring an Action Learning
Community Relations Training Programme to the rural communities of
Lisburn. This programme provides training for community
leaders/activists/teachers and trainers to learn new skills in handling
conflict and provides a channel for healing, reconciliation and
peacebuilding.
To promote Trauma Training in the community in order to raise awareness to the futility of violence.
To
visit South Africa and learn about a culture in a post conflict
situation and to bring back new skills to promote peace in Northern
Ireland.
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Postal address of organization
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BT27 5QE
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E-mail address of organization
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lcrn@utvinternet.com
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Website address of organization
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Highest priority action domain of a culture of peace
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Education for a culture of peace
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Second priority action domain of a culture of peace
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Free flow of information
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Highest priority country of action (or international)
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United Kingdom
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Second priority country of action (or international)
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International
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