Never use memory (or lack thereof) to justify cruelty: Holocaust Memorial Day 2015

For the Holocaust Memorial Day 2015, the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building, in cooperation with the Institute of Conflict Research, held a seminar event: “The Ethnics of Memory and Community Recovery”. The speakers were Daniel Greenberg and Lord Alderdice, chaired by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland, John Larkin. Lord Alderdice provided a distinction between the memory of an individual and that of a community: “The memory of any of us dies with us, but memory of community lives …

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Slices of Belfast: A tour of Sandy Row

As part of a work group, I went on a Sandy Row Tour, discovering the history and character of this neighbourhood. We began at the well-known mural site at the entrance to Linfield Gardens — a large example of a re-imaging project. The UFF “Welcome to Sandy Row” has been replaced with a more permanent, metal affixed, “Let ambition fire thy mind” homage to King William. Standing at Boyne Bridge, we learned that this was where the Belfast riots of …

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Young people want civic education in Northern Ireland schools

Young people want civic education in Northern Ireland schools #CoffeeClub at #SDLP14 conference by Allan Leonard for Northern Ireland Foundation 15 November 2014 Stratagem organised another set of sidebar coffee club conversations at the SDLP annual conference, Ramada Inn, Belfast. For the second time, I had two flipcharts with blank sheets to fill out the good, the bad and the ugly lessons from the Northern Ireland peace process. I commenced the discussion uncertain whether or not the responses would be …

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More channels for civic voices demanded

More channels for civic voices demanded #CoffeeClub at Ulster Unionist Party conference by Allan Leonard for Northern Ireland Foundation 18 October 2014  At a sidebar coffee club session, organised by lobby firm Stratagem, I asked a room full of Ulster Unionist Party attendees what was the good, the bad and the ugly lessons from the Northern Ireland peace process. With marker in my hand, I stood at the ready in front of two flip charts. The item emphasised repeatedly by …

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“We need a politics of recognition not identities”: Professor Rick Wilford

“We need a politics of recognition not identities”: Professor Rick Wilford Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings 17 June 2014 As part of his retirement from Queen’s University Belfast, Professor Rick Wilford was invited to present a lecture: “Two cheers for consociational democracy?” The Senate Chamber of Parliament Buildings provided a most appropriate setting for his review of the structures and operations of Northern Ireland’s government since the return of devolved administration with the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. The Speaker of the …

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“Be Catholic and have a large family”: Tim McGarry at Carers Week launch

Thousands of people across Northern Ireland provide care for others throughout the year. Carers Week is organised by several charities that come together to celebrate this contribution, signpost carers to further information and support, and encourage ‘hidden’ carers to come forward and be counted. Carers NI sponsored a Carers Week launch event at the Linen Hall Library, which featured short speeches by Edwin Poots MLA (Minister for Health and Social Care), Kevin Daly (Carers NI Chair), Pamela McCready (Director, Transforming …

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The prevailing wisdom of A Love Divided

Based on a true story, “A Love Divided” chronicles the aftermath of a mixed marriage in Co. Wexford, Ireland, where Protestant-raised Sheila refuses to send her children to a local Catholic school. She flees with her two young girls, leaving her husband Sean confused and frustrated. “A Love Divided” was shown at Culturlann, as part of the Belfast Film Festival and organised in collaboration with Pieces of the Past oral history project. Sheila signed the Ne Temere contract, which obligated …

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Not a cosy conversation: Victims and survivors conference

The Commission for Victims and Survivors (CVS) convened a conference “to listen to as many voices as possible” in forming its advice to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, the CVS Commissioner Kathryn Stone explained. The event was well attended by a couple hundred delegates, representing the broad spectrum from Northern Ireland’s Troubles; but remarkably absent were politicians. https://soundcloud.com/mrulster/20140225-cvs-01-kathryn-stone?in=mrulster/sets/20140225-cvs-conference Commissioner Stone quoted the Haass-O’Sullivan published draft document, in regards to the leadership role demonstrated to date …

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Learning Together: NI21 Party Conference

Learning Together: Maximising Common Education NI21 Party Conference by Allan Leonard for Northern Ireland Foundation 16 November 2013 At the NI21 inaugural party conference at the Europa Hotel, I chaired a fringe meeting to explore how shared and integrated education could be increased in Northern Ireland, and what potential role NI21 could have here. The panellists were: Mark Baker (Programme Manager, QUB Centre for Shared Education) Noreen Campbell (Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education) Kathleen Gormley (Principal, Hazelwood …

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Jobs and Freedom for Northern Ireland

Sponsored by the US Consulate Belfast, the Washington-Ireland Programme and Politics Plus, Chris Lyttle MLA hosted a remembrance event at Parliament Buildings for the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, with Martin Luther King Jr’s speech, “I have a dream”. https://soundcloud.com/mrulster/20130828-mlk-nia-01-chris-lyttle-mla Chris recalled his experience as a participant in the Washington-Ireland Programme, including a project that investigated the organisation of the 1963 March for Jobs & Freedom. He was particularly honoured to meet Walter Fauntroy …

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Hasan Turan (Kirkuk Provincial Council) visit to Northern Ireland

20130818 Hasan Turan NI

“Terrorists tried to divide us, but we are now stronger together”: Hasan Turan (Kirkuk Provincial Council) visit to Northern Ireland by Allan Leonard for Forum for Cities in Transition 16 August 2013 On the back of the political assassination of a fellow member of Kirkuk Provincial Council, its Chairman Hasan Turan travelled to Northern Ireland for a weeklong series of meetings and events, to exchange knowledge and experiences in dealing with societal conflict, both in Kirkuk (Iraq) and Northern Ireland. …

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The fate of peace: President Obama in Northern Ireland

My marriage is a transatlantic union between a Midwesterner and a Belfast-born Northern Irishwoman. Fittingly, my wife and I were delighted to receive tickets to hear another Midwesterner, President Barack Obama, at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall. With DJ Pete Snodden playing music by American artists, and the 2,000+ crowd performing a Mexican wave, one could be forgiven for thinking a pop concert was in the works. https://soundcloud.com/mrulster/20130617-obama-ni-01-hannah Rather, Hannah Nelson, a 16-year-old student from Methodist College, gave an excellent speech on …

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Derry proposals for Colombian peace

20130426 INCORE Colombia

In September 2012, peace talks were announced between the Colombian Government and the guerrilla group FARC. There have been several rounds of negotiation, now taking place in Havana, Cuba. INCORE at the University of Ulster saw a potential in investigating the lessons, good and bad, from the Northern Ireland peace process, in this 15th anniversary year of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. A three-day roundtable event was held 26-28 April in Derry-Londonderry, which included experts (politicians, scholars and journalists) from Colombia …

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Expressing Identity — Addressing Division: CRC Annual Policy Conference 2013

20130520 CRC Intercultural Cities

Expressing Identity: Addressing Division Apologies for tardy posting; thanks for Mick for posting snippet by Eamonn McCann: This year’s annual policy conference of the Community Relations Council (CRC) was held in Derry-Londonderry, a fresh change from the usual Belfast venues. Indeed, the Maiden City has demonstrated leadership in community relations for many years. In his introductory remarks, outgoing CRC Chair Tony McCusker pointed out that the city easily has the most events for this year’s Community Relations Week. In regards …

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Northern Ireland: 30 Years of Photography. Discuss.

20130517 Belfast Exposed

To mark its 30th anniversary, Belfast Exposed has organised an extensive exhibition of photographic work, displayed both at its premises on Donegall Street as well as at The MAC. The exhibition — Northern Ireland: 30 Years of Photography — “focuses on the growth of new, fine art documentary practices, more often produced for the gallery space and the photo book rather than for a press or media context”. There is also a large publication of the same title, written by …

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Political Drama: What Drama?

20130417 Political Drama IMG_2009

As part of its 15th anniversary celebrations, Stratagem hosted a political drama film and discussion event at The MAC. Stratagem Director, Quintin Oliver, explained how he was motivated by a gift request from his son for a box set of the West Wing series. “He said it would be educational. I realised it was as much for me as it was for him,” Quintin said, making him ponder why there wasn’t a similar political drama series for “the Hill, in …

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Good Friday Agreement codifies civic rules of the Northern Ireland game

20130410 GFA 15

Although the DUP dismisses the Good Friday Agreement for all its faults, it is hard to deny that that long-negotiated document set the framework under which our politics takes place, with its separation of powers (perhaps too separate), all-inclusive Executive (though lack of collective responsibility), and peculiar voting systems (bifurcated communal designations). Yet this Belfast Agreement contains crucial elements that would be found in any enduring democracy — equality of treatment under the law, mutual respect for one’s national identities, …

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The US and Northern Ireland: A diplomatic perspective

20121117 UCD - 04 Andrew Wilson

The UCD Clinton Institute for American Studies was the venue for a day-long conference, “The US and Northern Ireland: A Diplomatic Perspective”. Three panel discussions were represented by high-level speakers, from the Irish and British diplomatic corps as well as by those who had direct access to key decision makers during the past 40 years of the peace process. Audio: 20121117 UCD – 01 Redefining Relationships The two key speakers of the first panel discussion, “Redefining Relationships”, included Peter Jay …

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Transforming society through engaging place based leaders

Transforming society through engaging place based leaders By Allan Leonard for Northern Ireland Foundation 1 November 2012 A conference organised by the University of Ulster addressed the dynamic and innovative approaches to place based leadership, and how they could be applied in Northern Ireland and abroad. Audio: 20121101 UU Conference – 01 Alastair Adair UU Pro Vice Chancellor, Professor Alastair Adair, spoke about how these approaches were reflected in the university’s course offering, Civic Leadership and Community Development. Prof. Adair said …

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NICVA Tweet Up 2012

20120418 NICVA Tweetup - Nerd

NICVA hosted a Twitter “Tweet Up” for its members, to review various aspects of social media and its relevance for the sector. The Twitter hashtag for the event was #NICVATwtUp The host was UTV’s Marc Mallett (@MarcMallett_UTV), an informal, sofa chair style panel containing Chris Brown (@CB_PRandPA), Susie Brown (@Brownturf) (“I am not Chris’ partner, mother or any other way related!”), and Eamonn Mallie (@EamonnMallie). Coffee provided by Common Grounds (@commongroundsni) (with its manager participating — clever marketing). Lisa McElherron …

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