Common History, Uncommon Remembrance

Peter Sheridan is the CEO of Cooperation Ireland

The tangled events of 100 years ago are integral to the history that has shaped our peoples in all their distinctiveness.

How we recall and understand these events will continue to shape us and the choices we make into the future.

Co-operation Ireland exists to promote reconciliation and to strengthen and deepen relationships on this island and between these islands. Three relationships are important to us. The north south relationship, the internal relationships in Northern Ireland and the British Irish relationship.

The triumph of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement came through a willingness to examine and explore very complex issues through dialogue. We know that dialogue is the best way to solve problems.

As a result thousands of lives have been saved, tens of thousands of our people have been spared injury and across the world it is seen as a template for conflict resolution.

Co-operation Ireland seeks to approach the centenary in ways which are reflective of the range of historical issues involved and to ensure that the opportunity is taken to extend a sympathetic understanding of the complex story that has unfolded.

Without expecting individuals to abandon their loyalties we should promote greater toleration of different perspectives.

Our Entwined Histories youth education programme on the decade of anniversaries is an example of this, where we talk of a ‘Common history but an Uncommon Remembrance of it.’

Co-operation Ireland seeks to advance understanding of the multiple readings of history and of the different identities and traditions which form part of the overall story, promoting the use of multiple memories but in a way that avoids igniting old tensions

Our approach to the Centenary should have its foundations in exploring the experience of the two main traditions but also look at how that fits in with the wider international story at that time.
The post First World War era affected almost every developed nation and any exploration of our own experience has to be included in the wider world context.

Co-operation Ireland will work to encourage a measured reflection of the period in a way that is informed by full acknowledgement of the complexity of historical events and their legacy.

This approach has to be inclusive. We should not ignore the differences but acknowledge and understand these differences with respect to our differing traditions.

“Belfast City Hall” by D-Stanley is licensed under CC BY

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