Post-Conflict Reconstruction
The causes of Northern Ireland’s division are rooted in history and reflect the differences in religion, politics and culture as well as the social and economic experiences of our communities.
Healing the division has been, and remains at, the center of policy with actions across a wide range of political and socio-economic programs.
This know-how has also brought people together to achieve mutual benefits for their communities. The process required identifying the common and strategic needs of respective communities.
The Northern Ireland experience has attracted the attention and recognition of international organizations. Many of our local organizations and experts have been invited to share their experience and knowledge with other communities around the world.
This experience has built up a network of organizations with the practical skill of building trust and compromise between communities experiencing conflict.
The Northern Ireland Bureau will continue to work with groups in both the US and internationally to meet and to share their experience on a variety of issues such as:
- Inter-community negotiations
- Managing community tensions
- Coping with trauma
- Job creation
- Cultural/community expression
- Equal rights.
Some Initiatives
A Shared Future – the government has been consulting widely on a draft policy, stimulating debate at all levels in society about improving community relations in Northern Ireland and developing concrete measures and actions to achieve this.
The Community Relations Council – an independent body, is a center of expertise on promoting good community relations and co-ordinates and advises a wide range of voluntary groups. One program assisted by the Council is the ‘One Small Step’ campaign - a group of influential figures in commerce, education, sport and the community are promoting a campaign to encourage ordinary people in Northern Ireland to create a better future. People are encouraged to play their part in breaking down sectarian and racist barriers by taking a ‘small step’ such as reading a little about another tradition or a newspaper associated with the ‘other community’.