Visit to Stormont Castle (Parliament Building) on Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 1 PM
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History Presentation Notes
Northern Ireland Assembly | Northern Ireland Parliament
1932-72 home of unionist governments
Only unionists in power here
Civil unrest
1972 - GB closed building until 1998
April 1998 - Belfast / Good Friday Agreement
May 1998 - Vote passed on 71%
June 1998 - First Election
Oct 2002 - Assembly is suspended by GB
November 2003 - second election
October 2006 - St Andrews Agreement
Good Friday agreement for slow learners
Money from S Ireland and UK
May 8th 2007 - Assembly is restored
Belfast / Good Friday Agreement
Equal place in government, and representation
Minister and Deputy must each be Loyalist and Unionist, both have equal power
Cooperation between NI and ROI, equal cooperation between NI and UK
Issues:
- Decommissioning
- Policing: Patent reported on Policing in NI
- Prisoners: All released, should have record removed?
- Human rights
Devolution - Transfer of power from central power to regional government
Universally wanted
Allows decisions to be made
Central government remains in control ever
Assembly
108 elected members and speakers (MLAs)
18 elected to Westminster
Committees do work outside assembly meetings
Speaker has no vote
-----------------------------------
Meetings with Party Representatives
Wilson - NI Green Party
First Elected to NI
Green issues are the issues of the next generation, every other European government has held Green members
Last time all Sectarian Issues, Now it is Green Issues
Borders do not matter when the whole world it in trouble
When arrive at Stormont need to designate: Unionist / Loyalist
W/o designating, can not vote on some things
This institutionalizes the division
Clive McFarlin
Policy Advisor for DUP, Local Councilor
DUP wants to stay with UK but has always wanted to have own government
Tommy Gahliger, SDLP
SDLP - View unite people through ideas, not violence
(More of a middle class party than SF)
Anna Low, Alliance Party
First Chinese background (and woman) to be elected to European government
Aliance party is inclusive of all peoples in NI
1960's - Chinese community started to come to NI, in 80's became largest ethnic group. Over time became Migrant workers, now Polish. With many other groups
10,000 Chinese here now, into 3rd generation, 1st stuck to catering, Chinese food restaurants, not moved beyond.
She ran for South Belfast, region most winnable for a person of a ethnic minority
3rd elected out of 6 MLA for S. Belfast
People in that region wanted Alliance, gave 1 vote
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Intercomm Interviews: Sid Trotter
Forth interview organized by Intercomm
Sid Trotter - LINC http://www.linc-ncm.org/
Thursday, June 07, 2007 at 11:00 AM
Work in Protestant areas that also suffer, just like Catholics
Community relations is married to Community development
Informal grouping w/o communities
Most evident during marching
Work to empowering people
Communities have very much in common
Always been the case
Nationalist better at promoting at own walls "state against self"
Different interest - Nationalists want to question everything, Unionists want to not talk about same suffering, British not want to take down state
W/o shipping industry there is an even playing field, even some advantages for Catholics, like 1:1 police recruiting
Linc / Intercomm relation
Billy formed Linc
Liam and Billy formed Intercoomm
These are the biggest organizations
Smaller more specific ones
Groups have competition for funding, ensures quality, but fragments
There is dialogue, especially before potential conflict
High taxes in north dissuades business from coming here, but have quality workers, when come, will work out for everyone
IRA did not win any war, it was eye for eye with loyalists, and everyone getting blind
The poor were not any better off
SI has moved on,
Prods are just as ready for peace, 50:50
But do not want to lose British identity
Want peace, one towards United Ireland, one towards stay in UK
Sid Trotter - LINC http://www.linc-ncm.org/
Thursday, June 07, 2007 at 11:00 AM
Work in Protestant areas that also suffer, just like Catholics
Community relations is married to Community development
Informal grouping w/o communities
Most evident during marching
Work to empowering people
Communities have very much in common
Always been the case
Nationalist better at promoting at own walls "state against self"
Different interest - Nationalists want to question everything, Unionists want to not talk about same suffering, British not want to take down state
W/o shipping industry there is an even playing field, even some advantages for Catholics, like 1:1 police recruiting
Linc / Intercomm relation
Billy formed Linc
Liam and Billy formed Intercoomm
These are the biggest organizations
Smaller more specific ones
Groups have competition for funding, ensures quality, but fragments
There is dialogue, especially before potential conflict
High taxes in north dissuades business from coming here, but have quality workers, when come, will work out for everyone
IRA did not win any war, it was eye for eye with loyalists, and everyone getting blind
The poor were not any better off
SI has moved on,
Prods are just as ready for peace, 50:50
But do not want to lose British identity
Want peace, one towards United Ireland, one towards stay in UK
Intercomm Interviews: Gerard O'Reilly
Third of a series of interviews with Interomm staff.
Gerard O'Reilly - North Belfast Interface Manager
Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 9:15AM
Recent history post Good Friday Agreement
Unionist hesitant, DUP had non-negotiation policy "no camp"
Tried to break IRA cease fire
People bombed, burned out of houses, glass bombs, shooting
2001 - Talks started, understanding among senior people at this had to stop
Pressure on politicians to bring agreement from outside, Blare and US wanted peace in NI as victory for them
2001 - 90% of violence coming from loyalist side
Strategy
Short -
Medium - Our reach to those who have pos effect on peace possess
Long term - stable peace
Now again
Want communities, then country to unite
Used to be Fire Fighting, responding to situations 24/7/365 at any of the Flash points in the city
Now Today
Adults are not in the violence, it is 8-16 year olds
Deal with differently, adults are responsible for theirs actions, children can get caught up in it
This generation knows nothing but violence
Rep go to grass roots more than dub, big step recently to work w/ SF
Peace Walls
NIO (Northern Ireland Office), Police, everyone jointly decide if a fence goes up
Conflict continues in Water Works park, kids think they are not bothering anyone
Not many kids are doing getting involved in this violence, it is a small percentage
Bonfire moved from interface to heart of protestant area, Tigers Bay
Steps of Ground level work
Identify self
Process of identifying child if there repeatedly
Try to contact parents
Try to get some schools involved, mixed response, some believe after 4PM police and parents responsibility
Ground workers on both sides, work together
How it fits together
Intercomm offers training and experiences to community, open door to dialogue
It comes down to community
Schools
Children who will not achieve academically will be left behind
Then have low self esteem, problems at home, other problems come from that
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Notes: Community Relations Council
Community Relations Council
Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at 2PM (20 minutes late)
------------
Into Lecture
Work Created by groups like Corrrymela, nut had to spend half of time rasing money
This group takes that financial burden off the peace groups
Double society, difference only given away by signals
Segregations run deep and is cultural
Into sports
Building bridges
Mainstream community relations by making public sector
5% of children go to integrated schools, this initiative is started by parents, not state
Promote shared future
-------------------------------------------------------
Work Context Lecture by Duncan Murrow, Chief Executive
The questions of NI is, "To be or not to be?" Not anything not part of anything, should it be, very contested society, can not take for granted.
This contest has been worked out through violence
How does the future look? Abused working with those who have abused them. Not an easy step. All feel they have been hurt worse, none want to make first step.
1492 on Colonial Period began and problems solved by exporting them
Same time as plantation of Ulster, same age as US, different outcomes
1588 - Fall of Spanish Armada
British concern that Ireland could be used by Spain, as strategic point
Fighting between Irish tribes, Spain and Britain, Irish tried to get help from rest of Catholic Europe (France, Spain, Rome)
To deal with this threat, Brits had north (biggest threat) colonized by who could trust (Protestants), Mainly Scottish
Division remained over time. Catholics want out of oppressive division of NI
Protestants feel if not existing, they will become the minority
Economics + Politics + Religion -> Power
Different ideas of threats, defense, loyalties
Reconciliation
Have to now form a new relationship when all know is current not working unbalance
1920 1921 - NI established as intern solution, then SI given Independence
Initially Unionists have 65% of vote, now 55%. With this got 100% of government
Unionists feel it is legitimate, Republicans do not
Catholics feel robed, organize own army
Protestants do not have army, but organize police
Special Powers Act (like National Security)
Cycle of violence
Things that happen in "our" community effect us more deeply than what happen to people our there
Agreed cause: "Them"
Identify with us and them, Asking to make an agreement is also asking to change
Progress
Britain and Ireland always sought to contain the NI conflicts
1993 - Ireland and GB agree on structure of NI, to share power
Good for US, and EU, hard for NI
This year have partnership between DUP and Sinn Fein, parties that most violently represented communities.
Community Relations Co
1. Fund groups on ground
2. Think how would you try to promote a "shared future"
* Plans from division to peace
* Policy ideas, regenerations, district councils,
* connect action at ground to higher level
3. Get people together who have done practical work and who have done research
Reconciliation - Easy to say, but need to demonstrate, grow experiences
--------------------
Funded Work Lecture
If activities involve things from both communities, than it is cross community work, and should be funded. No, needs to be more than that. Tesco does that everyday.
Its about relationships, and safe space
Peace does not happen all together, there are a number of them
Programs here
1) 37 organizations, regional based, about developing a network, Mediation type to interface work.
2) 300-400 applications from local community groups for projects
* Large variety, Community relation issues w/ Hospital Staff to Church or Ireland links with other churches to get mix of kids to do volunteer service work in summer
3) Work with Victim / Survivor Community
* Victims often the ones holding back agreement
* Can not tell someone who lost so much to move on, because the rest of society needs to move on.
* For these victims, the start in 1690 might as well have been yesterday
Money Comes in through Government, International fund for Ireland, European Fund
5 million goes out to organizations / programs
Not a government agency, but connected to government
No one is arguing against Shared Future, argue over what it means
Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at 2PM (20 minutes late)
------------
Into Lecture
Work Created by groups like Corrrymela, nut had to spend half of time rasing money
This group takes that financial burden off the peace groups
Double society, difference only given away by signals
Segregations run deep and is cultural
Into sports
Building bridges
Mainstream community relations by making public sector
5% of children go to integrated schools, this initiative is started by parents, not state
Promote shared future
-------------------------------------------------------
Work Context Lecture by Duncan Murrow, Chief Executive
The questions of NI is, "To be or not to be?" Not anything not part of anything, should it be, very contested society, can not take for granted.
This contest has been worked out through violence
How does the future look? Abused working with those who have abused them. Not an easy step. All feel they have been hurt worse, none want to make first step.
1492 on Colonial Period began and problems solved by exporting them
Same time as plantation of Ulster, same age as US, different outcomes
1588 - Fall of Spanish Armada
British concern that Ireland could be used by Spain, as strategic point
Fighting between Irish tribes, Spain and Britain, Irish tried to get help from rest of Catholic Europe (France, Spain, Rome)
To deal with this threat, Brits had north (biggest threat) colonized by who could trust (Protestants), Mainly Scottish
Division remained over time. Catholics want out of oppressive division of NI
Protestants feel if not existing, they will become the minority
Economics + Politics + Religion -> Power
Different ideas of threats, defense, loyalties
Reconciliation
Have to now form a new relationship when all know is current not working unbalance
1920 1921 - NI established as intern solution, then SI given Independence
Initially Unionists have 65% of vote, now 55%. With this got 100% of government
Unionists feel it is legitimate, Republicans do not
Catholics feel robed, organize own army
Protestants do not have army, but organize police
Special Powers Act (like National Security)
Cycle of violence
Things that happen in "our" community effect us more deeply than what happen to people our there
Agreed cause: "Them"
Identify with us and them, Asking to make an agreement is also asking to change
Progress
Britain and Ireland always sought to contain the NI conflicts
1993 - Ireland and GB agree on structure of NI, to share power
Good for US, and EU, hard for NI
This year have partnership between DUP and Sinn Fein, parties that most violently represented communities.
Community Relations Co
1. Fund groups on ground
2. Think how would you try to promote a "shared future"
* Plans from division to peace
* Policy ideas, regenerations, district councils,
* connect action at ground to higher level
3. Get people together who have done practical work and who have done research
Reconciliation - Easy to say, but need to demonstrate, grow experiences
--------------------
Funded Work Lecture
If activities involve things from both communities, than it is cross community work, and should be funded. No, needs to be more than that. Tesco does that everyday.
Its about relationships, and safe space
Peace does not happen all together, there are a number of them
Programs here
1) 37 organizations, regional based, about developing a network, Mediation type to interface work.
2) 300-400 applications from local community groups for projects
* Large variety, Community relation issues w/ Hospital Staff to Church or Ireland links with other churches to get mix of kids to do volunteer service work in summer
3) Work with Victim / Survivor Community
* Victims often the ones holding back agreement
* Can not tell someone who lost so much to move on, because the rest of society needs to move on.
* For these victims, the start in 1690 might as well have been yesterday
Money Comes in through Government, International fund for Ireland, European Fund
5 million goes out to organizations / programs
Not a government agency, but connected to government
No one is arguing against Shared Future, argue over what it means
Intercomm Q&A: Robert McBride
Attended meeting at Intercomm instead of morning visit to Police Community Board
Wednesday, June 6, 07 12 - 2 PM
Question and Answer Period
Q: Does going over the past help with healing?
A: Need to make peace with enemy, not friends
1) Acknowledge those that allowed peace
2) Recognize common humanity
Need to be open to new approaches and to look at things differently because old way does not work
This is difficult for combatants labeled killers, who will be left holding responsibility
Focus normally on perpetrators / victims (people who fired or bombed), however in reality not like that. Circumstances brought them to it, victims become perpetrators, no one can claim clean hands, look away, told a joke, wrote something discriminating.
Every group waiting for other to say sorry first
Truth commission - needs consensus, especially among combatants who will live with stigma. South Africa's took place in another country, so no prosecution for crimes confessed
Q: How has police structure left over from before changed?
A: Many officers left on their own, their racist ideas do not fit in the new system
Worl does not evolve arround one person's suffering, many people are suffering
Q: People want to move on, some can not let go. How do we get through to those who can't forget what happened to them?
A: All suffering is waised if don't move on and ensure a good future
Some need time, have to provide a forum for them, don't let them hold process back
Q: What can be done for people with skillet important at time of conflict are lost with out employment? (besides those that go into civil service)
A: Have unemployment problems because lack skilled labor, not becase lack jobs
Find fits for former combatants based on skills they do have
Leadership - 2 years learning period, tax break for company
Q: How can we keep civil servants responcible to the people?
A: Need new ones, using agreed process
Q: Thoughts on excombatants in police force?
A: Process from changing from a informal (community driven) poicing system to a formal one is not handled well.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Intercomm Interviews: Sean Brennan
Second of a series of interviews with Interomm staff.
Sean Brennan - Development Officer
Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at 3 PM
The Catholic community became self sufficiant after being shunned by protestant community. Had own Schools, Churchs, etc. Everything was "do it yourself"
1970s - 90's
Comunity developed sustained educational empizezed to getout of poverty
Up to late 80's
Protestants have less empasis on education because children know will get father's job.
Up to 1945
No social care packages
1948
Free education and had proportional representation (21)
Trade Union Movement
Some support from Catholics as well
Support comes from community groups and churches because government was hesitant to give equals to Catholics
1979 Thatcherism
Local industries hit badly and many protestants lost their jobs.
Effectively a de-industrialization of the UK
Education now needs to become important but not part of Prod tradition
Northern Ireland Protestant people living in England and Scotland
young people leave for Education or other reasons and do not come back
Conflict is respondent now,
not between communities as much
Eternal Influences
Great Brittan Policies and Social Reform
US, 60's movements
Unionist part of UK party
People make own community group
Intercomm - leading community group
Late 1970's
Action for Community Employment b/c if not employed IRA will recruit
EU had given priority 1 status for a period and it helped
220,000 registered unemployed come over every year
70% of jobs are public sector
Sean Brennan - Development Officer
Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at 3 PM
The Catholic community became self sufficiant after being shunned by protestant community. Had own Schools, Churchs, etc. Everything was "do it yourself"
1970s - 90's
Comunity developed sustained educational empizezed to getout of poverty
Up to late 80's
Protestants have less empasis on education because children know will get father's job.
Up to 1945
No social care packages
1948
Free education and had proportional representation (21)
Trade Union Movement
Some support from Catholics as well
Support comes from community groups and churches because government was hesitant to give equals to Catholics
1979 Thatcherism
Local industries hit badly and many protestants lost their jobs.
Effectively a de-industrialization of the UK
Education now needs to become important but not part of Prod tradition
Northern Ireland Protestant people living in England and Scotland
young people leave for Education or other reasons and do not come back
Conflict is respondent now,
not between communities as much
Eternal Influences
Great Brittan Policies and Social Reform
US, 60's movements
Unionist part of UK party
People make own community group
Intercomm - leading community group
Late 1970's
Action for Community Employment b/c if not employed IRA will recruit
EU had given priority 1 status for a period and it helped
220,000 registered unemployed come over every year
70% of jobs are public sector
Maze/LongKesh
Tour of LongKesh Prison Tuesday, June 5th at 9:30 AM before going to Intercomm.
To elaborate on the analogy that our volunteer assignment is a bit like summer camp, today we took a field trip. Rob and I got a private tour of LongKesh prison.
This prison is famous for detainment of prisoners during the troubles, housing the 1981 hunger strikes, the 1983 breakout, and the recent plans to convert the space into a stadium.
The H Block and hospital where the hunger strike took place are being reserved and becoming an historical landmark. Memorials to this even can be found all over Ireland, and it was chilling to actually be there.
Irish Freedom Committee Page on the Hunger Strike
Wikipedia Irish Hunger Strike Article
We were walked through all the details of the 1983 breakout. Most of those who escaped left the country. There are two of the planners who give talks in pubs around Ireland about how they did it. The biggest weakness was that each H Block operated so independently. The prisoners were able to overtake their H Block and wait for the regular truck that comes by to make their escape further from there.
On our tour we saw block 3, which would be identical to block 7, which is being preserved because of all that happened there. We climbed one of the towers, from which we could see the walls, gates, govener rooms, and rooms for officers who had been threatened. The most the prison is know it hold was 1700 prisoners, with 1200 staff.
To elaborate on the analogy that our volunteer assignment is a bit like summer camp, today we took a field trip. Rob and I got a private tour of LongKesh prison.
This prison is famous for detainment of prisoners during the troubles, housing the 1981 hunger strikes, the 1983 breakout, and the recent plans to convert the space into a stadium.
The H Block and hospital where the hunger strike took place are being reserved and becoming an historical landmark. Memorials to this even can be found all over Ireland, and it was chilling to actually be there.
Irish Freedom Committee Page on the Hunger Strike
Wikipedia Irish Hunger Strike Article
We were walked through all the details of the 1983 breakout. Most of those who escaped left the country. There are two of the planners who give talks in pubs around Ireland about how they did it. The biggest weakness was that each H Block operated so independently. The prisoners were able to overtake their H Block and wait for the regular truck that comes by to make their escape further from there.
On our tour we saw block 3, which would be identical to block 7, which is being preserved because of all that happened there. We climbed one of the towers, from which we could see the walls, gates, govener rooms, and rooms for officers who had been threatened. The most the prison is know it hold was 1700 prisoners, with 1200 staff.
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