Co louth peace and reconciliation partnership

Co. Louth Peace and Reconciliation Partnership PEACE III Phase II

Looking Back...

Moving Forward

A project supported by the PEACE III Programme managed for the Special European Union Programmes Body by Co Louth Peace and Reconciliation Partnership

Table of Contents

Table of Contents 1 Foreword 2 Priority 1: Consolidating Peace Building among our Young People 3 Cross-Border Mentoring Programme for Young People 4 Peer Leaders To Peace Programme 5 Inspiring the Next Generation of Peace-Makers 5 Challenging Attitudes and Learning Through the Arts 6 It’s a PEACE III Blockbuster...

7 Priority 2: Building the Capacity of Peace III Target Groups 8 Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders 10 Breaking New Ground 11 Aftermath 12 TRADE-WINDS To Success 13 Small Grants Priority 13 Embracing Diversity 14 ‘Anne Frank + You!’ 15 History Brought to Life 15 Celebrating Cultural Diversity 16 Harmony 16 Crafting the Journey 16 Louth Traveller Plan 17 Smashing Times 17 County-Wide Drama for Peace Troupe is Formed 17 Connecting with Conflict 18 Priority 3: Celebrating the Diverse Community of Co Louth 19 All Together Now 20 It’s Good to Talk 21 Peace of Art 22

Priority 4: Facilitating Community Dialogue and Relationship Building 23 Network for Peace 24 Supporting the Vital Peace Building Work 24 The Power of the Press 25 The Next Generation of Peace-Makers is Born 26 Partnership Learning 26 Spark of Genius 27 PEACE III Partnership Members 28 Co. Louth PEACE III Programme Deliverers & Partners

Foreword

Foreword by Philomena Poole, Louth County Manager and Peace and Reconciliation Partnership Chairperson As the Louth PEACE III Phase II Action Plan draws to completion I wish to acknowledge the commitment of our Project Delivery Agencies, the Youth and Community Sector and the Partnership Secretariat and the Networking for Peace Officer for guiding the PEACE III work to this point.

Louth has become a diverse society thanks to projects delivered by the County Louth VEC (now LMETB), Louth County Enterprise Board, Louth Minority Ethic Consortium and a range of other smaller initiatives. These have contributed to a greater understanding of cultural diversity and a more inclusive society. Many of our young people thanks to the Peace programme have become more conversant and aware of the impact of the Northern conflict in Louth and conflict across Europe. Also we have our share of award winning projects such as the SPIRAL for Schools Project. New relationships have been forged and experiences shared through the Networking For Peace Project.

As a result of the Aftermath Project we have documentary evidence from some of those affected by conflict both at home and abroad. Looking

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to the future, Louth has developed during PEACE III Phase II, two exciting Shared Spaces accessible to all.

This publication brings together these and other examples of recent peace building work in Louth and will prove to be a valuable record of what has been achieved. On behalf of the Partnership Board I would like to thank all who contributed to its contents. I would also like to thank the Special EU Programmes Body for their ongoing support as it is they who administer EU funding without which this work would not be possible.

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Priority 1

Priority 1 Consolidating Peace Building among our Young People

This priority focused on ‘Consolidating Peace Building among our Young People’ and included support for actions that encourage and empower young people to participate in local decision making structures. It also focused on building the capacity of young people and their families from disadvantaged and minority communities to access and participate in youth activities.

This was achieved by supporting young people to challenge their behaviour, beliefs and actions.

The priority contained five specific youth orientated actions.

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Priority 1

Cross-Border Mentoring Programme for Young People!

Understanding yourself and others Priority 1.1: Vulnerable Young People Project Name: Youth Promoting Peace Lead Partner: New Border Generation Teoranta

The Youth Promoting Peace project, led by New Border Generation Teoranta, has provided 14 young people with the unique opportunity of participating in a cross border mentoring programme in which their views, attitudes and behaviours towards peace building were challenged. The participants involved are young people who may have been vulnerable and at risk of turning to conflict and dissident groups associated with paramilitary activities.

This project set out to educate young people about the alternatives to conflict and support them in playing an active role in their own local communities which contributes to a shared, inclusive, peaceful and stable society.

A residential, team building activities, discussions on sectarianism and racism and a space to explore the different ideas and backgrounds shaped the programme. The individual monthly mentoring programme allowed the participants to further their personal development and to explore training and employment opportunities.

The project co-ordinated 32 facilitated workshops across the following themes: Personal Development, Understanding Self

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and Others, Understanding Other Cultures, Drugs and Alcohol and Mental Health. ‘’The mental health programme alongside the personal development programme was a great workshop as it got the young people talking and they were very open. We are organising an International Trip which I think will be a great chance for the young people to see things

from a different angle. It will provide them with another good chance for conversation,” said programme co-ordinator, Erin O’ Connor.

The project finished with a visit by the group to Auschwitz-Birkenau where the young people confronted the history of the site and came face to face with the reality of xenophobia and sectarianism.

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Priority 1: Case Study

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Peer Leaders To Peace Programme!

Young People Inspire ‘Vision of Hope’ for County and Beyond Priority 1.2: Peace Building Leadership and Peer Learning Programme Lead Partner: Co-Exist Ltd Project: Peer Leaders Programme

This project demonstrated superbly how PEACE III helped cement peace building efforts among young people.

The vision set out by Co-Exist Ltd - a young people’s organisation and PEACE III Project Delivery Agent - was to equip young people with the skills to become ‘peer leaders’ through a programme that would ensure their voices were heard and by becoming active citizens, have a positive impact in the communities in which they live.

“30 young people were recruited, whereby they committed to 27 weeks of training across modules such as: political and civil society leadership; diversity, sectarianism, and racism, understanding conflict, legacy & confidence skills, peer education and project planning and management,” said Mairead Hearty, Director and co-founder of Co-Exist Ltd. “As part of the training each young person completed a personal ‘Participant Learning Log’ to enable them to reflect on their experiences. Residential elements were incorporated into the programme to create and embrace opportunities for sharing diverse ideas and values,” she added.

Following the completion of the training programme, Co-Exist Ltd supported each group of young people in delivering a local peace building project. Each group was provided with a resource allocation to assist them in developing and delivering a project which put their peer leadership training to the test.

All three groups wished to experience first hand the long term impact of conflict in other countries leading to the planning and organisation of three different International Trips. Group 1 travelled to Krakow and Auschwitz in Poland. Group 2 travelled to the Basque Country in Spain and France and Group 3 travelled to the World War II sites and Museums in Normandy France.

“Over 75 young people have taken part in workshops designed and facilitated by the youth groups both north and south of the

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border. This offered the participants within the programme the opportunity to share their learning with their peers and communities.

Best practice will be shared with the relevant statutory and voluntary groups which it is envisioned will further disseminate the learning derived from the project and provided a successful blue print for the development of future Peace building projects.”

Kevin Moran, Director and Co-Founder of Co-Exist Ltd says:”We took a group of young people on an exchange programme to Krakow in Poland earlier in the PEACE III programme.

In 2013 and building upon this earlier success,

we took a group of young people to Bilbao, in the heart of the Basque region of Spain.” The purpose here was for our young people to meet with other young people in a different part of the world - who have much in common with us and the border counties when it comes to embracing peace and a new shared future for everyone. Paul Finn an 18-year-old Leaving Certificate student from Dundalk’s Coláiste Rís Secondary School, had the opportunity of a lifetime to go to Spain with Co Exist Ltd. “Under Co-Exist’s Peer Leaders Programme we studied discrimination, conflict resolution, reconciliation, peace-building, culture and identity as well as leadership skills. The tour to Bilbao and the Basque region really empowered us to put some of our skills training into practice.

It was an incredible experience to sit down with our Spanish hosts and learn from each other.

We are all the same, and together we explored how to make racism and sectarianism history and how we each have a role to play in resolving conflict. The highlight of the trip was a visit to the world-famous Gernika Peace Museum - an historical treasure house that highlighted the culture of peace. It was an unforgettable experience and I’ve kept in contact with my new friends. This was a dream chance and we owe our thanks to the PEACE III fund for opening such doorways of opportunity.”

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Priority 1

Inspiring the Next Generation of Peace-Makers Priority 1.3: Youth Programme Project Name: Comhairle na nÓg Peace Building and Networking Lead Partner: Louth County Council This Peace Building and Networking project delivered through the local Comhairle na nÓg or Youth Council supported and enabled young people from the PEACE III target communities, to participate in the structures affecting young people in the county. The project aimed to develop the young people’s capacity to understand, engage and address the effects of negative conflict, by creating greater awareness among the young people

and the wider community. Young people from target groups and areas of the programme (young people from families of people who have been displaced, victim’s families, Republican ex-prisoners’ families, Black and Minority Ethnic and Traveller communities, and minority faith backgrounds were connected through dialogue events, cross border activities and other peace building engagements. Other Comhairles or Youth Councils from counties Monaghan, Cavan, Armagh and Down were also involved in this Networking project. The dialogue events organised facilitated the further development of the young people’s skills, knowledge, capacity and attitudes towards creating a peaceful society and in turn

enabled them to become leaders among their peers. Over the course of the project the young people visited both Stormont and Dáil Eireann and met with politicians on a cross party basis giving voice to their opinions on a range of topics including the appropriate age to vote.

Challenging Attitudes and Learning Through the Arts!

Priority 1.4: Primary Schools’ Programme Project Name: Schools Connecting Cultures Lead Partner: Co-Operation Ireland Schools Connecting Cultures involved the recruitment of six primary schools with the aim of building positive relations at a local level by challenging attitudes towards sectarianism and racism.

The schools (100 pupils) involved in the project were: Mullaghbuoy NS and St. Oliver’s NS, Carlingford, Scoil Mhuire na nGael, Dundalk and St. Francis NS, Blackrock, Termonfeckin NS and St. Patrick’s BNS, Drogheda, Rampark NS, Jenkinstown and Scoil San Nicholas, Castlebellingham, and Windsor Hill PS and St. Patrick’s PS, Crossmaglen.

Co-Operation Ireland worked directly with the schools in delivering a programme on recognising sectarianism and racism and empowered them to challenge these issues.

Ten teacher training sessions were also held on using arts and reflective action. Following the training, eighteen mentoring sessions were organised within the schools and their local communities on themes of identity and culture, sectarianism, racism, citizenship and community participation. Using project resource allocations local projects were developed by the schools.

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All projects were arts based and included storytelling, using the theme of journeys to explore links between places and communities,

and using the theme of food to explore cultural differences and similarities. Around 600 individuals attended the events.

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Priority 1: Case Study

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It’s a PEACE III Blockbuster...

‘SPIRAL’ for Schools Premieres Peace Film Success Priority 1.5: Secondary Schools Programme Project Name: SPIRAL for Schools Lead Partner: Co-Operation Ireland Step aside Steven Spielberg - for the next generation of young film makers is on the move - all in the name of ‘peace and reconciliation’ - and thanks to PEACE III. SPIRAL (Storytelling to Promote Intergenerational Reconciliation and Learning) for Schools was an intergenerational arts based programme, which addressed sectarianism and racism through the use of a special toolkit, ‘SPIRAL Unpacked.’

The programme aimed to build and maximise upon the valuable learning foundations gained during the implementation of the PEACE III Phase I programme in which an interactive DVD, structured programme and booklet of stories were created.

“In Phase I, SPIRAL provided opportunities for older people who lived through the conflict to talk about their experiences through the art of storytelling and to have their voices heard. Participants were encouraged to experience a sense of healing and to bring about a sense of closure,” said project leader Michelle Menice from Co-Operation Ireland.

SPIRAL for Schools’ developed this further and took a modern slant on the creative arts, training teachers and pupils in the use of information and communications skills technology, where film-making was chosen as a vehicle for peace building.

The programme supported contact and co-operation between schools and local communities - through the design and delivery of locally based film-making projects that addressed issues around peace building.

Seven secondary schools from across Louth and Northern Ireland rose to meet the creative challenge: Ardee Community School, Scoil ui Mhuiri, Dunleer, St. Joseph’s, Drogheda, St. Patrick’s, HS Keady, Colaiste Ris, Dundalk, St. Vincent’s, Dundalk and Assumption Grammar, Ballynahinch.

Said a young person from Assumption Grammar School: “The outbreak of the trouble last Christmas was very scary. I thought violence was going to break out again here and my parents told me stories about how awful it used to be. When

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we got a chance to make our film we wanted to stress how important it was that Northern Ireland doesn’t go back to that. That was the inspiration for our storyline. We all agreed it was important to consider the role we play in our community and how we’re all responsible for peace.”

All films produced addressed key themes of respect for diversity, mutual understanding with regards to race and identity, and awareness of the negative impact of ‘the Troubles’. The workshops were facilitated by Createschool and actor/writer Domhnall O’Donaghue, while a complementary programme of digital arts workshops was delivered to help schoolchildren in the delivery of their movies.

As a project finale, three showcase events were organised: two in Louth County Museum, Dundalk and one in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry. The grand premiere of the films was a key element of the programme, enabling the schools to celebrate their learning with each other and the wider community, providing a unique opportunity for all generations to listen,

learn and respect each other’s life experiences.

“The programme also compiled a project DVD which will be used to further school based learning in the future. Overall, the programme engaged at least 300 individuals throughout local communities,” said Michelle Menice.

STOP PRESS! TWO OSCARS

FOR ASSUMPTION GRAMMAR!

Pupils from Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch Northern Ireland have scooped two awards for their PEACE III movie making skills from The South Eastern Education and Library Board.

The first award was The Arts’ Award for the ‘outstanding’ quality of the film they produced. The second was “The Service to the Community Award,” due to the outreach nature of the project which fostered education for mutual understanding, celebration of diversity and inclusion across race, age and religion!

Congratulations from Co-Operation Ireland and everyone at Co Louth Peace and Reconciliation Partnership and Louth County Council.

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Priority 2

Priority 2 Building the Capacity of PEACE III Target Groups

This priority focused on ‘Building the Capacity of PEACE III Target Groups’ through the provision of a range of supports such as the provision of training for minority community leaders and diversity champions, by developing a small number of capital programmes to promote the concept of shared space, by providing mentoring support to encourage more ethnic entrepreneurs and actions to address sectarianism and racist attitudes amongst groups and communities. This priority consisted of four strategic programmes for minority ethnic communities, one shared space projects and 11 Small Grant peace building projects. www.networkforpeace.org

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Priority 2: Case Study

Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders...

PEACE III’s reputation of bringing people together and igniting the flame of peace and reconciliation is by now well documented and publicised...

Priority2.1: Capacity Building Support Programme Project Name: Diverse Leaders’ Project Lead Partner: Co. Louth LMETB (Co. Louth VEC) Overcoming adversity, often against all odds or insurmountable challenges, is what the genesis of the entire initiative is all about.

Some projects are so comprehensive and ambitious that their DNA stands as a clear ‘testimony’ to all sections of the community - a beacon of hope that’s plain to see.

This can certainly be said of the Diverse Leader’s Project - an inspirational initiative where the positive ripple-effects will surely endure the test of time and be felt across all sections of the Louth community.

“The vision of the Diverse Leaders’ Project was to address and negate any culture of racism and sectarianism in Co. Louth,” says Eamonn Quinn, the project’s co-ordinator, from LMETB (Louth VEC).

“Our objective was to empower minority groups to engage more fully in local society and to enable the emergence of peace building leaders within local minority groups across the county.”

In a nutshell, the project provided real opportunities for increased integration, small project development and the establishment of local leaders able to express the views of their respective groups.

166 individuals from minority groups in the area engaged in the Diverse Leaders’ Project - no mean feat - and a tremendous endorsement for the vision of those who dared to believe that this project would find its feet.

At the project’s centre were three main strands: Peace Building through Capacity Building: “11 groups participated in the Capacity Building Facilitation and Mentoring Programme which not only increased the participation of the groups in Co. Louth but also built confidence and improved their capacity to address the needs of their communities,” said Eamonn Quinn.

Peace Building and Civic Leadership Training: “A customised training programme was delivered to enhance the leadership skills

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of participants. Two training programmes were provided which encompassed guest speakers, visits, training and workshops.”

Amongst many projects, The Interfaith Dialogue Network proved to be one of the most valuable and sustainable elements, acting as a means to improving relations at a local level among leaders and congregations including members from St. Patrick’s Parish, Dundalk Muslim Community, The Church of Ireland Dundalk, Indian Orthodox Church, St. Louis Sisters, Dundalk and Grace Fellowship Dundalk.

Other important initiatives included the Muslim Community Dundalk and Islamic Foundation Drogheda’s Intercultural Days and the Church of Ireland’s Wellington Hall Project,which will provide a lasting legacy to the PEACE III Programme.

The third strand was Resource Allocations.

RESOURCE ALLOCATIONS: The 11 groups highlighted below received Resource Allocations to deliver a project for their group which would strengthen integration and build peace at the local level.

CHURCH OF IRELAND DUNDALK The Church of Ireland Project developed a communications plan including the creation of a website, to engender greater awareness of and a sense of inclusivity with the Wellington Hall and its facilities, to outline the history of the hall as an inclusive interdominational space, and demonstrate how the hall can be of use to the wider community.

MEN’S SHED Basic capacity building and conflict resolution programme aimed at empowering

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Priority 2: Case Study

the men to take control of their sheds, promoting improved health and well-being both physical and mental, and ensuring that this vulnerable group is not excluded and that their needs are recognised.

DUNDALK MUSLIM COMMUNITY The Dundalk Muslim Community hosted Dundalk’s first Muslim Intercultural day, ‘Bridging the Gap,’ to raise awareness of the Muslim community and to allow a better understanding of what being a Muslim in Ireland and Louth entails. This was a hugely successful event which helped break down barriers and increased integration of the Muslim community with their non-Muslim brothers and sisters. ‘’The day was the first Muslim Intercultural Day in Dundalk. We wanted the local Irish people to come to share food, conversation and friendship with our brothers and sisters. It was a great success and such a joyful occasion.

In this simple manner, we certainly bridged any gaps that separate us,” said Mohammed Selim event from Dundalk Muslim Community.

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CULTURE CONNECT DROGHEDA

SIMUL POLONIA

Culture Connect is an intercultural group and their project focused on developing a strategic plan through a series of workshops, consultations and seminars to plot a road for future development for the organisation - particularly in their work on integration and peace building.

Simul Polonia arranged a series of events and meetings culminating in a family day in Dundalk, as a means of helping to unite the Polish community with other communities and to introduce local people to their culture and customs.

LOUTH TRAVELLER MOVEMENT

MUIRHEVNAMOR COMMUNITY COUNCIL DISPLACED PEOPLE’S PROJECT

This project supported the Louth Traveller Movement to develop a Strategic Plan 2013-2016 to address the needs of the local Travelling Community, following consultations with Travellers and other stakeholders countywide.

This project examined the impact of displacement and its socio-economic impact on families who were displaced to County Louth as a result of the Conflict. Little work had previously been carried out in this area and Louth is unique in the large numbers of displaced persons living in the county.

Drogheda Civic Trust developed a Cross Cultural Education Programme based on the history of St. John’s Homes. The project involved the learning of the unique history of the Catholic and Protestant communities in Drogheda for the past 400 years.

ISLAMIC FOUNDATION DROGHEDA INTERCULTURAL DAY

DROGHEDA CIVIC TRUST

The Islamic Foundation of Drogheda organised an Intercultural Day as a means of inviting all of the local community to join them for food, talks and activities.

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Priority 2: Case Study

Breaking New Ground...

Wellington Hall Delivers Centre for the Whole Community Priority 2.1.1: Shared Space Capital Programme Project Name: Wellington Hall Lead Partner: Church of Ireland

A real-life DIY SOS production has taken place in Dundalk - with The Church of Ireland’s Wellington Hall project.

A legacy initiative - that has seen the restoration of the town’s Wellington Hall under PEACE III Phase II. With the project’s completion, the hall has become a ‘beacon of hope’ to all communities living in Louth.

Under Priority 2 - ‘Building the Capacity of PEACE III Target Groups’ where the focus was upon creating a ‘shared space,’ the Wellington Hall Committee set out to develop a shared space, that would become the centre of the whole community.

“We set out with a dynamic vision for The Wellington Hall as a place for everyone.

Our central focus was to provide a shared space to serve and integrate mainstream communities with groups from different ethnic backgrounds, minority religions, the Travelling community, ex-prisoners and young people - all target groups of the programme,” said Brigitte Nelson, from The Wellington Hall Committee.

Anyone who visits the complex, cannot fail to be amazed at the determination of the team who have painstakingly restored the original building. Originally a multi denominational hall built in the 1800’s - the detail and commitment behind the restoration - and now an open invitation to all to utilise it as a shared safe space is clear to see. Already it has become an invaluable resource for the whole community: “The Wellington Hall Project was launched in September 2010 with the aim of restoring a derelict building for use by the wider community and the Parish,” continued Brigitte.

“The project was awarded funding by PEACE III Phase II to refurbish the first floor of the main building, to include three meeting rooms and the restoration of the Georgian features that was central to the delivery of this project, whilst ensuring that the building was accessible and compliant with health and safety requirements.

“The hall has been made available to ALL

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with an innovative programme of events hosted weekly, and existing relationships and community relations have been improved. It is hoped that a local history exhibition will be created to capture and promote the shared heritage of the community, which could be used as an educational and peace building resource.

“By increasing networking, co-operation and partnership opportunities to groups through the use of the space, this project supported the engagement in peace building locally.

This allowed for interaction, breaking down of barriers, building bridges, the sharing of resources, networking and future collaboration between different members of the community.

In this manner, the Wellington Hall as a building is itself, building positive relations at a local level.”

The hall is currently being used by a range of groups and organisations spanning a wide range

of interests from meetings of the Mother’s Union, local Scout Group meetings, exercise and diet classes to the hosting of some sessions of the “Getting to Know your Institutions” Course being delivered by the County Louth Network for Peace as well as being available to Minority Ethnic and mainstream groups. The premises are also being used by the PEACE III Partnership.

Said Eugene Zabek from Simul Polonia - a group that represents The Polish Community in Louth: “We have hosted many community events and meetings at The Wellington Hall. It is a marvellous embodiment of the whole community, with many organisations tapping into this valuable resource.

“We have also assisted in helping preserve this focal point - offering help and assistance to clear the Courtyard, outside of PEACE funding, so as to create even more shared space for people to mix and integrate for the future.”

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Priority 2: Case Study

Aftermath Dealing with The Legacy of the Past “At the end of ART is PEACE,” Seamus Heaney, (1939 - 2013) Priority 2.2 & 2.3: Victims of the Conflict and their Families/People Displaced by Conflict Project Name: Aftermath Project Lead Partner: Diversity Challenges

Sublime and sensitive steps towards peace and reconciliation were taken through the County Louth PEACE III’s AFTERMATH project.

This perceptively choreographed exhibition, masterfully utilised discussion and creative artistic approaches to story-telling - highlighting the issues and needs of participants drawn from two target groups: the victims and survivors of the Conflict and those displaced by the Conflict in the North and from other countries, now living in Louth.

“In 1969 the largest evacuation of refugees since World War II took place in Ireland as thousands of people fled across the border to escape the unfolding conflict in Northern Ireland. In subsequent years the border counties continued to be heavily impacted; many people were injured or killed in bombings and shootings whilst others were imprisoned or displaced.

Following the Good Friday Agreement and the cessation of overt conflict the issue arose of how to address the legacy of conflict,” said the project’s originator, Dr Laurence McKeown.

AFTERMATH is an array of real-life-stories, reflecting the diversity of experiences taking the viewer on a journey of ‘telling and listening,’ leading to a recognition of commonality between communities of very different backgrounds and encounters.

“We recorded people’s stories of conflict, both at home and abroad from all communities, shades and political persuasions”.

“Central to our project was a multi-disciplinary exhibition which used text, photos, film, music and sound to convey in a groundbreaking way the experiences of those involved”.

AFTERMATH was the physical manifestation of a whole range of voices - from UDR and RUC members, to former IRA volunteers, victims of loyalist killings, victims of republican killings, families of the disappeared and those displaced from their homes because of conflict from Northern Ireland and other countries.

The exhibition then became the story of how people dealt with this legacy of the past.

Art offered a new dynamic to communicate

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thoughts and feelings in a non-formal way.

Where the words ended, images and music took over and the integration of victims, survivors and those who were displaced, became one.

The sensitivities in developing the project and the many voices involved was given a helping hand by Oceans 11, 12 & 13 composer, Belfast born David Holmes, who also told his own story through music.

“To have a composer of David’s calibre was incredible. His music score, composed sadly after the death of his brother, spoke volumes in terms of loss and healing. Regardless of our backgrounds his music reflects a road that everyone will eventually find themselves on”.

AFTERMATH the exhibition toured venues in Dundalk, Dublin, Newry and Belfast, and included archive newspaper articles and photographs documenting the growing tensions in Northern Ireland from 1968, that ultimately led to the birth of ‘the Troubles.’

There was a specially designed sound sculpture where visitors could engage with the participants’ narratives; a collection of filmed interviews with participants by director Laurence McKeown, and an extensive series of photographs by renowned artist Anthony Haughey.

Key outputs were shared with mainstream society through talks and exhibitions in local libraries, museums and many public places.

This included exhibitions, displays, storytelling sessions, film screenings and the use of additional multi-media outlets to present the information obtained throughout the project in an educational and engaging way.

Key outcomes of the project included the establishment of a victim and survivors’ group to support the healing process, where the impact of the conflict on victims and survivors was recognised. Counselling support was made available to participants. For many this was the first time they had told their story. The project helped develop tolerance, recognition of hurt, an understanding and a working relationship between those who were on opposing sides.

Two dialogue events were hosted to enable participants to discuss the issues affecting them.

This consisted of a residential for the victims/ survivors and a residential for displaced persons.

In particular, AFTERMATH was crucial in ‘telling the story’ to the next generation of young people - where historical facts and stories presented through art - educated and informed in a way textbooks and history lessons never could. The recordings were also made available to academics for future research, the outputs are available on the project website www.aftermath-ireland.com, and everyone involved was presented with AFTERMATH ‘the book’ - so the healing journey could continue over time.

An AFTERMATH participant concluded: “You only had to speak your few wee words but you were able to then get things out that you didn’t even know were there. What you (the organisers) did was create a safe space for everybody, and you certainly did that, which is very good and therefore encouraged folk to share their views and their thoughts and whatever. So that was good, and a nice mixture of people from different backgrounds and that’s good as well.”

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Priority 2: Case Study

TRADE-WINDS To Success Ethnic Entrepreneurs’ Programme is ‘THE BUSINESS!’ Priority 2.4: Ethnic Entrepreneurship Programme Project Name: Ethnic Entrepreneurship Programme Lead Partner: Louth County Enterprise Board A real life Dragons’ Den style revolution has taken hold in County Louth.

Under PEACE III, The Louth County Enterprise Board ran its far-reaching ‘Ethnic Entrepreneurs’ Programme - not just a business theory course - but an innovative, hands on initiative, that turned many budding business dreams into trading realities.

Under PEACE III’s Capacity Building objective - many people’s lives now stand transformed, with skills to take an idea from the drawing board into business.

Sarah Mallon, the initiative’s organiser explained: “The Ethnic Entrepreneurs’ Programme set out to promote the integration of ethnic minorities into the mainstream economic life of County Louth.

“28 participants from diverse multicultural backgrounds and countries including: Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Nigeria and The Philippines enrolled on an ambitious course of around 40 training sessions.

“These sessions covered all aspects of business and took participants on a journey from their initial business concepts to in several instances actual trading, with core learning components ranging from taxation, an introduction to business planning, accountancy, market research, how to finance your business, employment and human resources as well as how to import and export. Its depth and breadth was unsurpassed,” said Sarah.

With programmes running concurrently in Drogheda and Dundalk, several high profile mentors and guest speakers were also enlisted to ensure that entrepreneurs had the right inspiration to get up and running.

“Guest speakers for the groups included established business leaders who are clients of the Enterprise Board such as Sarah Nic Lochlainn from Aruna Sauces and Ann Reilly from Pay Check Plus. Anastasia McCabe, an

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ethnic entrepreneur successful in being awarded a feasibility grant from the Enterprise Board, also talked about her experiences. The final networking event, that coincided with Enterprise Week was hosted by none other than Ramona Nicholas from Dragons’ Den and Thomas Hunter McGowan from Intertrade Ireland.

The programme’s objective was to increase the knowledge base of participants who experienced disadvantages on a socioeconomic level, which had in turn prevented them from enjoying equality of access to business opportunities. A big part of the drive, says Sarah Mallon, was to harness potential through building people’s confidence.

As part of the programme participants were offered the opportunity to network with other Start Your Own Business clients. Over 75 local business people attended the local networking sessions organised on behalf of the project by Dundalk and Drogheda Chambers of Commerce. “You could see people’s confidence soar as they became empowered through the networking sessions and through meeting local entrepreneurs. A wide range of industries were represented and the integration was extremely encouraging”, said Sarah.

The proof of the pudding is of course

in the eating...a total of 25 business plans were submitted and awarded FETAC accreditation. A resounding success.

To crown the conclusion of the Ethnic Entrepreneurs’ Programme a real-life graduation ceremony was staged, where all the hard work paid off, with a prize-giving ceremony that was on par with any high profile awards’ event.

“I was personally so proud of everyone who took part,” said Sarah Mallon.

“Core business skills and confidence was gained while the support and enthusiasm of the local business community has to be praised.”

Some Highlights...

Through the programme, a Polish Speech and Language business was launched. An existing framing business has now expanded their ‘wholesale’ operations. One participant won a major business award with The Dundalk Argus. Yet another, has set up his own photography business - even winning work with LCEB and the PEACE III programme!!!

“The legacy of this programme and its successes will live on,” added Sarah Mallon.

“I have no doubt that many lives are now enriched through the experience and will have the confidence to open their doors for business in the future, if they haven’t already...”

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Priority 2

Small Grants Priority

This programme consists of small grants to enable local groups to address issues of sectarianism and racism as they experience them, building peace in their local area for a more inclusive society. Projects delivered span a wide range approaches from Civic Leadership to Storytelling to innovative drama projects.

Equipping Communities!

Project Name: The Moneymore Conflict and Peace Building Project Lead Partner: Connect Family Resource Centre (Connect FRC) This project was a peace-building training course aimed at local community activists and explored concepts of conflict, identity, inequality, diversity and political activism. The course helped equip community members with the awareness and tools needed to address conflict within their own

lives and within their communities. The six-week programme’s objective was that participants would bring their knowledge and confidence back into the community to help resolve intercommunity conflicts, and to act as leaders within the community to bring about positive change.

The course also included a visit to Dáil Eireann which allowed the participants to engage with politicians currently in power. This opened participants’ minds to other areas of conflict and demonstrated the positive changes that communities can achieve.

Embracing Diversity Project Name: Embracing Diversity Project Lead Partner: Community Restorative Justice (Newry/Armagh)

The restorative programme involved an exploration and celebration of the shared heritage of the women from target areas through the medium of story-telling and training. The Embracing Diversity Project aimed to provide women from the wider Newry and Mourne, North Louth and Dundalk areas with a vehicle to communicate with each other, relate their experiences, voice their feelings, understand one another and over the period of the project develop respect for one another. Practitioners facilitated workshops on restorative approaches necessary to provide them with the skills and confidence necessary to move forward.

Through a shared history programme, the participants exchanged different views of history, culture, and identity and different conflict and post-conflict experiences. The storiesof the women was recorded through audio and visual interview and at least 10 stories were collated into a booklet. Complimenting this, 10 events were facilitated which included lectures and trips.

This promoted greater understanding of one’s own history and that of the women across the border. This allowed the women to form a greater knowledge base of local history and explore

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archives of oral and photographic collections.

In relation to the training element, a 10 week restorative training programme accredited to OCN Level II was offered to 15 participants.

This led to a greater understanding between communities, increased empowerment and confidence among the women, and improved dialogue between the participants.

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Priority 2: Case Study

‘Anne Frank + You!’ World-Renowned Exhibition Scores PEACE III Success Project Name: Anne Frank + You Exhibition Lead Partner: Louth County Libraries There are 12,000 reasons why Louth County Libraries should be pleased with their touring Anne Frank + You PEACE III centrepiece - because that’s the number of people who visited this record-breaking exhibition - in just five weeks!

And, what a coup for Louth Senior Executive Librarian Amanda Branigan and her team to land this, one of Europe’s most sought after and highly acclaimed historical exhibitions.

“We anticipated many visitors to The Anne Frank + You exhibition at Dundalk Library - which recounted one of the most renowned victims of the Holocaust’s stories. To reach 12,000 satisfied viewers with the exhibit and to have led 85 guided tours, proved we’d hit the right note in promoting peace and reconciliation in this way,” she said.

Anne Frank gained international fame posthumously following the publication of her diary that documented her experiences in hiding during the German occupation of Holland in World War II. This text has long been on the Schools’ Curriculum and countless lives have been inspired through the theme of ‘overcoming adversity,’ forgiveness and healing.

Amanda Branigan continued, “This eagerly anticipated exhibit brought home the relevance of Anne Frank’s voice firmly to 21st Century Louth, with an all new and updated multimedia exhibition presenting Anne’s story alongside contemporary issues, including racism in football, the right to wear religious symbols and bullying. It was a multigenerational, cross-border and crosscommunity success story for us and an important historical event for the border counties.

“Tragic, yet inspirational - the story remains ever more relevant in today’s world as it explores themes such as human rights and tolerance. We all gained potent insights into our shared past and shared future - an education for everyone who visited us, “ added Amanda Branigan Many free community events were held to coincide with the exhibition including creative writing workshops for school classes with Brenda Finegan from The Write Space, Lynn Jackson from Holocaust Education Trust Ireland delivered a workshop for Transition Year students on an overview of the Holocaust

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and Yanky Fachler, Chair of the Jewish Historical Society of Ireland gave a public talk on ‘Anne Frank and the Irish Dimension’.

“The exhibition was a dramatic and powerful multimedia experience which demonstrated to those who attended the value of democracy, personal responsibility and civil society, while also encompassing aspects of the Holocaust, racial hatred, war, conflict and the value of freedom,” said a PEACE III representative from Louth County Council.

Visitors were also encouraged to sign the Anne Frank Declaration, pledging their support to work towards a society free of prejudice.

“All of these events offered an opportunity to engage even further with communities in exploring the legacy and memories

of the conflict through documentation, storytelling and the written word. The exhibition provided an engaging forum for discussing mutual respect, discrimination, and sectarianism as well as the promotion of a more inclusive society,” concluded Amanda.

Comments from some of the visitors: ‘’I think that we should end racism and that the world should be peaceful and we should not judge a book by its cover and that’s what Anne Frank wanted’’.

“Everyone should see this exhibition - it opens your eyes and makes you stop in your tracks and think. We had a great guide, Pat, it was so interesting and informative.”

“There is a lot to learn about conflict, racism and revenge but it was also extremely cool.

Anne Frank was brave” “Lest we Forget”.

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Priority 2

History Brought to Life!

Project Name: HORCID Project (History of Religion and Cultural Integration in Drogheda) Lead Partner: Drogheda Civic Trust

The Horcid project published a ‘history book’ to provide a better understanding between the different religious, cultural and new emerging communities in Drogheda.

The project engaged with all main religions in the area through interviews and sought to record their opinions, thoughts and experiences with the overall objective of building a more peaceful and stable society.

The result, a fascinating pioneering published book - available in social media and also in printed format.The first section of the book explores the history of religious and cultural integration

in Drogheda, while the second explores new communities which have come to live in Drogheda.

17 groups were involved with many meeting each other for the first time. ‘The History of Religious and Cultural Integration in Drogheda’ launch was

a significant event which promoted the book to historical groups and the wider community.

“Talking about my Church in Ireland remind(s) me again of why I am here in Ireland” “It opens up an opportunity to know each other”

Celebrating Cultural Diversity Project Name: Racism and Sectarianism in CRASH Lead Partner: Culture Connect

Culture Connect aimed to challenge racism and facilitate the integration of communities locally by creating opportunities for social interaction and participation between ethnic minorities and mainstream communities.

Cultural Awareness training and an AntiRacism workshop was facilitated for local community groups to reduce stereotypes and prejudices and ease any withstanding tensions.

Concerns and barriers were discussed and support was given to the groups to help them maximise their potential. A Seminar on Racism was held in October 2013 which explored the issue of racism from the perspective of institutions, the wider community, NGOs and Service Providers. Recommendations as a result of this included the need to adopt a standardised “racist incident” definition and a review of the current Garda PULSE system.

Culture Connect continues to promote integration and will strive to promote cultural diversity and positive relations at a local level.

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Priority 2

Harmony!

Project Name: CABLE Addressing Racial Disharmony Project Lead Partner: Foroige (Cable) Project CABLE’s Addressing Racial Disharmony Project aspired to build upon previous successful programmes through improving awareness, understanding and reducing racial and sectarian issues.

Following on from the CARD project in 2011 (PEACE III, Phase I), a residential training weekend was held and attended by 30 young people from Drogheda and Downpatrick. Participants developed a booklet to promote racial harmony both on a local and cross border dimension by participating in the exchange programme.

“We’ve learned so much about other cultures and made many new friends,” said a participant

Crafting the Journey!

Project Name: Traveller Stories Through Craft Lead Partner: Louth Craftmark

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Louth Traveller Plan Project Name: Giving Louth Travellers a Voice Lead Partner: Irish Traveller Movement Louth Traveller Movement

The ‘Traveller Stories Through Craft’ project brought together women from the minority Travelling community to engage in the creative processes as a means for self expression The project aimed to promote long term peace building within local communities by raising the awareness of different cultures, traditions and heritage in particular but not exclusively that of the Travelling Community.

Craft skills were delivered

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through a series of short courses with professional craft tutors, which included a textiles course, dress making skills course and creative writing and storytelling sessions. A field trip to Collins Barracks and fabric outlets in Dublin was arranged for the participants. At the Museum of Decorative Arts, students received the opportunity to see a range of costumes, jewellery and artefacts of historical Irish culture.

This helped to educate the

students about the history of costume design and fashion and how the past influences culture and fashion today.

• “It’s been great getting together and having the craic, & learning new things” -Margaret McDonagh • “Working as a group has been great” - Sabrina Joyce • “This course has been a journey” -Kathleen Joyce • “I’ve loved getting to know everyone, chatting” Charlene Gaffey

The Irish Traveller Movement worked in partnership with the Louth Traveller Movement (LTM) to engage with Travellers across County Louth. The two organisations worked together to implement several identified priorities from their strategic plan.

Giving Louth Travellers a Voice aimed to further enhance the capacity of the Louth Traveller Movement, increase Traveller participation in the work of LTM and help Travellers challenge racism and sectarianism.

The programme of activities included; The establishment of a Traveller Forum in Drogheda and Dundalk; Traveller Pride Week; representation at the Irish Traveller Movement’s AGM; training in using equality law; visits to other Traveller groups e.g. Belfast.

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Priority 2

Smashing Times!

Project Name: Acting for Change Project Lead Partner: Smashing Times Theatre Company Ltd Smashing Times Theatre Company, using a previously developed participative drama workshop model, promoted anti-sectarianism and anti-racism and created an understanding of identity, diversity and promotion of equality through the Acting for Change project.

Four drama workshops with 10 school groups were facilitated. Participating schools included St Joseph’s CBS, Ardee Community School, St Vincent’s Secondary School, St Mary’s College, Drogheda Grammar School, St Louis Secondary School, Scoil Ui Mhuiri and O’Fiaich College. The young people also attended 10 performances of the monologue ‘Crossings’ which explores

the experiences of a man who has been involved in violent paramilitary activity and makes the journey to choosing a path of peace.

County-Wide Drama for Peace Troupe is Formed Project Name: Upstate Youth Ensemble Lead Partner: Upstate Youth Theatre Upstate Theatre Project designed a series of workshops and formed a multi-cultural ‘Upstate Youth Ensemble’. The project used physical theatre techniques requiring high levels of commitment and fitness, concentration and imagination combined with a poignant text devised by the young people to forge an exciting new form of performance that was innovative and energising!

Through this process, the Upstate Youth Ensemble challenged racist and sectarian attitudes amongst the participating young people, confronting beliefs about ‘the other’ and working on strengthening a shared society in County Louth. A county-wide intercultural youth ensemble was formed, progress towards a peaceful and stable society

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was reinforced and the legacy of conflict was addressed using the creative process.

The programme’s impact reached around 120 young people in the process.

‘Fantastic, emotive and sensual.

Very thought provoking. Excellent, couldn’t believe it was made in five days. Sharing and communicating no matter the tribe. Sharing is good.

Amazing show. So original, a wonderful use of movement and a great message.’ were comments from participents.

The audiences engaged in these facilitated discussions and through these creative processes the legacy of conflict was addressed.

In addition, youth groups and their leaders attended a day-long youth theatre symposium which included workshops on racism and sectarianism, a full theatre performance of ‘Thou Shalt Not Kill’ and a post-performance discussion. 350 individuals have been directly engaged in peace building within the project in a meaningful and inclusive manner.

Connecting with Conflict Project Name: Ablevision and Newry and District Gateway Club Documentary Lead Partner: Ablevision Ireland

This project aimed to explore and highlight issues relating to people with intellectual disabilities and how the Conflict in Northern Ireland has impacted on their lives as residents both North and South of the Border. The project endeavoured to connect people with intellectual disabilities, to the peace process and to an inclusive society through the creation of a short film documentary. The documentary challenged prejudice by recording the stories of people with disabilities and their experience of the Conflict in Northern Ireland, sharing not only their stories but their opinions on the past and their hopes for the future.

The project has promoted reconciliation by building cross border relations between people with intellectual disabilities who have experienced the Conflict. Working with their cross border partners, Newry

and District Gateway Club the project brought together two communities from North and South who do not often get a chance to have their voices heard.

Objectives of the project were to build a sustainable cross border relationship to open the discussion on the Northern Ireland conflict and its impact on people with disabilities, to deepen the understanding of sectarianism and racism and its impact locally and identify common themes which were reproduced for a wider audience through the production of a short film.

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Priority 3

Priority 3 Celebrating the Diverse Community of County Louth

This priority focused on ‘Celebrating the Diverse Community of Louth’. This was achieved through the provision of locally based community specific diversity awareness training; through the delivery of a Restorative Justice project in areas identified as in need of support; through the engagement of the local arts community in delivering peace building arts based projects with local communities in a celebration of diversity. The priority contained three strategic interventions focused on raising the awareness of and celebration of diversity in Louth 18

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Priority 3: Case Study

All Together Now! Community Integration in County Louth Priority 3.1: Diversity Engagement for Local Communities Project Name: Community Integration Programme Lead Partner: Louth Minority Ethnic Consortium

PEACE III has witnessed many projects that celebrate the diversity of Louth’s communities. Take for example the Community Integration Project under Priority 3- Diversity Engagement for Local Communities that has proved a massive success.

The Coordinator of Louth Minority Ethnic Consortium, Tinu Achioya said, “The focus of the project was to facilitate integration between Louth’s indigenous and new communities and in doing so to foster a peaceful, inclusive and confident society in County Louth”.

The project brought together and supported local resident groups, youth groups and local organisations to develop and implement events and programmes for integration in their local area.

“The aim was to create a greater intercultural understanding and awareness of the various cultures in Louth and to build positive relationships locally. The project engaged with 80 participants through ‘engagement programmes’ and over 750 people in the locally organised integration events,” continued Tinu Achioya.

The areas engaged in the project were Carlingford and the Cooley Peninsula, Cox’s Demesne, Muirhevnamor, Lios Dubh, Hackballscross, Toberona, North Down, County Down and Drogheda.

The integration workshops offered in each area promoted interaction, trust in working together to address local challenges, and a common shared space, using innovative methods such as Participatory Learning and Action tools, problem solving techniques , brainstorming and intercultural diversity activities.

This allowed participants to contribute effectively, develop a sense of value for each other and reflect on their thoughts and actions towards peace building, moving beyond conflict and embracing intercultural society.

More than 60 residents participated in the Integration Training and Support element of the project which increased their

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capacity to address issues of sectarianism and racism and promote positive relations between communities and groups: Cultural diversity activities were implemented in each area and resource allocations were awarded to groups over a two year period to facilitate inclusive events and initiatives.

THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS WERE FUNDED: • The Muirhevnamor Communities Intercultural Project, which organised several intercultural events in the local community.

•L ios Dubh Community Integration Project ran a series of integration events and community engagement activities.

•D rogheda Integration Project which featured among other workshops a day entitled ‘Flavours of Drogheda.’

•C ox’s Demesne Integration Project – consisted of different integration elements including a schools event, a local boxing club event , an intercultural day and exchange programmes for young people in Cox’s , North Down community and County Down, to enhance cultural and religious understating and challenge negative attitudes toward others.

•D rogheda Project - Around the World in 7 days – each day set aside to celebrate the culture and history of a particular nationality or ethnic group including a Brazilian Day, a Polish Day, an Irish Day and a day to celebrate the culture of the Travelling Community.

•C arlingford and Cooley Peninsula featured integration workshops involving different schools, pupils and parents in history learning, intercultural communication exchange, cultural and religious diversity. The integration event in the area was ended with an international cultural day for all.

•S t. Joseph’s School “Fair Play” Project. This included using drama, workshops and art and craft to explore and teach diversity, antiracism. anti-sectarianism, identity, embracing difference and respect. There was also a workshop for parents on issues of integration and recognising and expressing diversity.

Tinu Achioya enthused: “In addition to these fabulous events/ programmes, there was a best practice visit to Stockholm, where the group examined how the Swedish system has managed integration in the community and how they have put into practice, the EU agreed indicators to ensuring integration ” To review the findings of the project, the Community Integration Project held a conference, with the aim of exploring integration, policy implementation, practice and the impact on communities. The conference had an effective contribution from all participants about the fundamental needs in County Louth to ensure the practise of integration and essential drive towards having an integration strategy in place to further promote social inclusion in the County.

“Much progress has been made towards a peaceful society.”

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Priority 3: Case Study

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It’s good to talk!

Helping to Address Community Concerns Priority 3.2: Community Restorative Programme Project Name: Community Restorative Programme Lead Partner: Community Restorative Justice Newry/Armagh “The Community Restorative Justice ‘Reconciling Communities’ project, is a fine example of Louth Peace and Reconciliation Partnership exploring innovative ways of developing interaction within communities with diverse cultures,” Ewan Morgan from Community Restorative Justice, Newry and Armagh said.

The Community Restorative Justice model has had a powerful and profound impact for communities in the last decade or so.

Working within communities, the objective is to bring people together, often from opposing viewpoints, increase understanding through intense discussions and seek to find peaceful and restorative solutions - through talking.

For PEACE III the Community Restorative Programme involved the development of a far-reaching cross-border and cross-community led initiative.

“The programme centred around consultation, education, addressing community level concerns and tensions linked to the conflict of the past and the arrival in the border region of new diverse cultures and BME (Black Minority Ethnic groupings),” continued Ewan Morgan from Community Restorative Justice, Newry and Armagh.

The programme identified areas which have experienced community conflict due to cultural differences and this project sought to enable these communities to discuss key issues, perceptions, assumptions and values which are important to their community and area with a focus on reconciling conflict.

This project incorporated an innovative concept including dialogue, discussion, agreement and training around a community restoration approach. The project aimed to build the capacity of communities, engage in building positive relations and appreciate diversity.

The areas engaged in the project were: Omeath, Hackballscross, Carrickcarnon,

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Faughart, Shelagh, Ardee and the programme also engaged with two specific target groups, Louth Traveller Movement and the Louth Ethnic Minority Consortium.

ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECT INCLUDED: • Community and cross-border facilitation workshops and discussion groups • A residential • Outreach trips to similar projects • Accredited training at OCN Level II – 13 people have completed the Accredited Training • The project has also engaged with statutory organisations throughout the project lifetime including, An Garda Siochana, The PSNI, Louth County Council and individual members of the Joint Policing Committees.

PARTICIPANT QUOTES: • “Restorative justice is a new way forward” • “Training practical” • “I will be able to use these skills in my workplace”

• “I’ve learned working in the community for 30 years - people don’t want to travel to sort out problem they want them sorted in their own area.”

• “Keeps communities close.”

• “Very powerful process” • “Empowers people to deal with their own issues.”

• A Restorative approach / intervention helps people - “to come up with solutions tailored to their problems.”

• “Outcomes are better when the people concerned control the process.”

• “Creates good working relationships with partners (Statutuory and Voluntary)” • “You can’t work in isolation you need good working partners.”

• “Common sense solutions arrived at.”

• “Giving people the tools (training) and empowering them.”

• “It nips things in the bud” (Restorative approach) • “North Louth would benefit from its own Community Restorative Justice project.”

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Priority 3

Peace of Art Encouraging Artistic Talent in Louth Priority 3.3: Celebrations of Diversity Project Name: Peace Of Art Lead Partner: Co. Louth VEC The ‘Peace of Art’ project aimed to increase awareness, understanding and appreciation of other communities and cultures through the medium of art. It encouraged the artistic communities in Co. Louth to include designated target groups of the Louth PEACE III programme in local festivals, celebration events and national holidays, exhibitions and other events.

15 resource allocations were awarded to encourage the artistic community in Co. Louth to use its talent as a means of tackling issues of racism, sectarianism and conflict within the county.

200 participants embraced the programme with twenty local celebration events being organised by art groups.

The projects funded were: • Louth Craftmark - Art in the Allotments’ - 2012 • Calipo Theatre and Picture Company - ‘Youth Film Club’ – 2012 ‘Digital Life’ - 2013 • Upstate Theatre Project - ‘Made-up’ – 2012 ‘The Far Side – screening & discussion’ - 2013 • Pyxl - ‘Vicious Circle’ - 2012

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•M usic Generation Louth - ‘Songlines’ - 2012 •L aurence McKeown - ‘From Prisons to Peace-building – Film Exhibition’ - 2012 • ‘ Creative Writing & Photography Project’ - 2013 •Z oe Conway - ‘Celebration of Ulster Scots and Traditional Irish Music’ - 2012 •D rogheda Samba Group ‘Different Drums’ - 2013 •D undalk Youth Theatre - ‘Breaking Down Barriers’ - 2013 •E laine Agnew - ‘I want to tell you’ - 2013.

• Jackie Nickerson - ‘Curating Islamic Art’ - 2013 • Brian McKillop - ‘Anonymous’ – 2013 “The programme also allowed the local community in Co Louth to hear first-hand from former political prisoners, both Loyalist and Republican, about how they deal with a multitude of challenges that daily confront them in their work but who nevertheless strive to make their communities a better, safer, and securer place to live and work in,” commented Dr. Laurence McKeown (From Prisoners To Peace Programme)

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Priority 4

Priority 4 Facilitating Community Dialogue and Relationship Building

This priority focused on “Facilitating Community Dialogue and Relationship Building� while providing an underpinning activity which supported the sustainability of peace building in the county and its cross border hinterland beyond the PEACE Programme. The priority was divided into five actions which sought to promote collaboration among providers of the different programmes; to increase the capacity of peace practitioners in the county; to highlight to the media and the wider public the peace building work being carried out; and to support the development of a sustainable peace building effort in County Louth.

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Priority 4: Case Study

Network for Peace Louth County Council Delivers Excellence in Networking Priority 4: Network for Peace Project Name: Network for Peace Lead Partner: Louth County Council Much of PEACE III’s success across the county can be attributed to the sterling work of Louth County Council. At the heart of any success story - are the countless hours of hard work and planning - often unseen, but without which, the PEACE III programme and its objectives would never have materialised.

Network for Peace, has been the ‘backbone’ of the PEACE III initiative, led by Grainne Cumiskey and the team at Louth County Council.

Grainne explained: “The Network for Peace in County Louth has 30 members, both individuals and organisations that are interested in peace building in County Louth and includes both current and past PEACE III project deliverers.”

The Network holds regular meetings for its members to afford them the opportunity to share both their experiences in peace building and the learning they have achieved through the delivery of a range of peace building projects.

Network for Peace in Co Louth’s aim is to support and embed the development of peace building leadership across the county.

To date it has involved the establishment of a community-led, cross-border network, one which is evolving and which serves the county and its cross border hinterland, while serving as a centralised point for networking resources.

While the Network for Peace is primarily focused on peace building it acknowledges the importance of social inclusion and community development in building a stable society; as well as the wider environment and the importance of peace in how it affects life in general. Starting out on this work with the acknowledgement of ‘where people are at and where their interests lie’ and adopting a community of practice approach means that people will see and realise the value of the Network.

The Network seeks to have a cross border element, given how close the county is to the North; and an inter-county aspect so as to realise benefits and learning along the southern border region while striving to make sure that people from the local area including

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people who have been displaced from the North/Northern Ireland; ethnic minority communities; minority faith communities; politically motivated ex-prisoners; women, young people; and institutions feel part of this networking movement for peace.

“There have been many networking events throughout the year - all of which have been enthusiastically attended and the support for our work has gained great momentum across the county,” said Grainne Cumiskey.

“Among the many achievements and highlights was a residential trip for 25 group members to Derry/Londonderry, where we received a tremendous welcome to the City

by Deputy Mayor Alderman Gary Middleton.

We toured the Tower Museum; the City’s Wall’s and even had a tour of the murals. It was a fantastic experience and we also met with the North West PEACE III Partnership and Project Delivery Agents, to share ideas and build more connections for the future, continued Grainne.

Another stand-out from the Project was the ‘Getting to Know your Institutions.’ Course facilitated for the Network by the Northern Ireland based Rural Community Network. This course enabled participants to explore the

history and backgrounds of The GAA, British Legion, Church of Ireland and The Orange Order among others. 16 Network members recently visited an Orange Hall in Co Down. It was a very inclusive networking effort and one which everyone can take a great deal of pride in.

Other networking sessions included sessions with guest speakers from Ex-prisoner backgrounds; Minority Faith backgrounds and project deliverers; guided tours of relevant exhibitions including the locally funded Aftermath exhibition; a cross border BME Network visit to Dublin where the group visited Dáil Eireann and the National Mosque; a cross border PEACE III Project Showcase with the Southern Partnership and Monaghan Peace Partnership and a Small Grants Showcase.

There was also an exploration of issues around integration in County Louth through the Network organised conference “Louth – an Inclusive County?” which included speakers from the Immigrant Council of Ireland and the European Network against Racism in Ireland.

The Network was also the impetus behind the production of this Legacy Booklet showcasing the wonderful peace building work carried out in the County over the lifetime of Phase II PEACE III.

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Priority 4

Supporting the Vital Peace Building Work Reflecting, Learning and Mainstreaming...

Priority 4.1.1: Action Learning Programme Project Name: Action Learning Programme Lead Partner: Blu Zebra Ltd and Ann McGeeney Consulting The Action Learning programme supported the peace building work of those groups which were funded to implement the peace programmes in Co. Louth and on a cross border basis.

Its approach ensured that groups were involved in the design and development of the Aid for Peace Approach Reporting and

Monitoring Framework so as to bring them into contact with the concept from the outset. As a result, groups implementing peace building projects found creative and accessible ways of capturing the learning from their project; learned how to mainstream the lessons from their work right from the outset; and considered how to influence others in how they conduct their business.

Eight groups participated in the Action Learning Programme, 12 networking events were hosted, mentor support sessions were conducted and four awareness programmes were delivered.

The Power of the Press!

Communications with County Louth and beyond Priority 4.2: Communications Programme Project Name: Facilitating Community Dialogue and Relationship Building Lead Partner: Blu Zebra Ltd & Ann McGeeney The importance of making the media and Internet work for you and the power of communications in promoting the reconciliation programme was highlighted under this programme.

The significance of using and engaging the media in order to challenge attitudes amongst local communities was addressed and participants learned how to develop media relationships, write press releases, sell their stories and develop effective news pictures.

In addition media skills programmes were designed and delivered to 36 participants.

Each programme was delivered through workshops and real life media training scenarios. The final couple of sessions included how to develop and manage websites and social media profiles. Mentoring of sessions were hosted and these consisted of one to one and group mentoring sessions with

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action goals and outcomes identified.

Dialogue and facilitation sessions explored action learning, networking, media tool kits, implementation skills and improved media relations. A programme launch event to

celebrate PEACE III in Louth and a closing Dragons Den media celebration and legacy book launch with UTV’s Paul Clark, ensured all participants got to interact with key media players in Louth and beyond.

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Priority 4: Case Study

The Next Generation of Peace-Makers is Born!

It’s been said that it’s possible to change the world, one person at a time.

Programme 4.1.2: Peace Building Leadership Programme Project Name: Leading the Way Lead Partner: KW Research and Associates Ltd

This belief was at the heart of the highly effective ‘Peace Building Leadership Programme’ - where research had already identified an appetite amongst community groups and the voluntary and public sectors, for peace-building at a grass-roots community level across Louth.

“There was a real requirement for peace building to be made more relevant to a wider community audience,” explained Dr Kathy Walsh, who was awarded the contract to deliver the Peace Building Leadership Programme on behalf of Louth PEACE III Partnership.

People also wanted the opportunity to meet with and engage in dialogue with others working in the County. The Peace Building and Leadership Programme was developed with the explicit purpose of making peace building and knowledge of how to ‘PeaceBuild’ accessible and relevant. In addition, it set out to provide interesting networking opportunities for individuals and groups.

The Programme involved the development and delivery of six peace-building and leadership training courses tailored towards elected representatives and individuals from the statutory and voluntary sectors.

Three courses were delivered in Autumn 2012 and a further three in Spring 2013.

The course consisted of six linked modules.

This was supplemented by an optional ‘Best Practice Workshop’ which involved inputs from local peace building projects.

A novel incentive to encourage and increase participation was also included: All course participants with 100% attendance at the six training sessions were entered in a lottery draw for a place on a trip to the Messines Ridge and the Island of Ireland Peace Park in Flanders, Belgium. This trip, which was facilitated by the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation took place in May 2013 and involved 15 delighted course participants.

The trip provided the 15 individuals with not only a unique experience but also an inspirational opportunity to explore issues

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of conflict and difference, and their own current barriers to integration. “The visit also encouraged reflection upon personal experiences of the conflict and a broader understanding of peace and Conflict issues was gained, “ continued Kathy Walsh A total of 69 participants from across the three sectors ultimately participated in the training programmes - which exceeded all the original targets.

“We believe we succeeded in our overall purpose which was to make peace building relevant to the wider community. Specific objectives were met in terms of increasing participants’ awareness, understanding and appreciation of each others’ communities and cultures. Individuals certainly felt better equipped with increased skills and knowledge to address core issues such as racism, sectarianism and found new avenues for dialogue and networking between leaders across communities and sectors.” Concluded Kathy.

KEY OUTCOME QUOTES:

‘Because the group was made up of different races, cultures, religions and different political beliefs I was able to get a better understanding and knowledge of these. Leading me to a realisation of the commonalities as opposed to a focus on difference’.

‘I will deal with people differently.

Hopefully be more aware, more considerate and understanding’.

‘Will engage within the community and try to involve other ethnic minorities I’ve already started researching and reading into WWI and into conflict resolution in general and am speaking to friends and families as my way of education others’.

‘Better understanding of the conflict and of the scale of human tragedy involved. We are all responsible to some extend for what happens in the world’.

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Priority 4

Partnership Learning!

Leadership, Engagement and Strategy...

Priority 4.3: Partnership Learning Programme Project Name: Partnership Learning Programme Lead Partner: Blu Zebra Ltd & Ann McGeeney The Partnership Learning Programme was established to support the members of Co. Louth Peace and Reconciliation Partnership as well as others involved in decision making in the county in further developing its peace building capacities, and to offer opportunities for cross border engagement and learning from the experiences North of the border.

A wide range of events, networking sessions and strategic peace building sessions were held for The Partnership as well as being open

to members of the County Development Board.

In particular, this enabled engagement between the Partnership and its constituency and especially the target groups in the area of the peace and reconciliation programme. The

programme established a advisory structure in support of the Partnership which acted as a touchstone for the Peace Partnership in the county and on a cross border basis.

Spark of Genius!

Shared Space to Nurture Creativity Priority 4: Shared Space Capital Programme Project Name: Creative Spark Lead Partner: Louth Craftmark Louth Creative Community Hub focused on the development of a dedicated public space for nurturing creative mind-sets within the local community. Through managed peace

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building activities, it facilitated the inclusion of participants from the cross-border cross-community population. The beautiful facility provided managed space where peace building education, training and support took place while also providing workspaces to establish and emerging creative enterprises.

In addition to incorporating peace building, community arts, community and good relations programmes and social enterprise; programmes and skills were developed

Tap here to play the video through the provision of the shared space itself. Recent activities have included carpentry, ceramics, comic books, creative writing, dj-ing, drama, dress-making, fashion design, felt-making, graffiti, hip-hop dance, knitting, life drawing, photography, printmaking, puppetry, rap writing, song-writing, textile design and weaving and has involved age groups from four to eighty-four. The project recently hosted the Small Grant Project “Traveller Stories Through Craft�

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Members List

County Louth Peace and Reconciliation Partnership Members SECTOR

NAME

POSITION

Public Sector

Ms. Philomena Poole

County Manager and Chair of Peace Partnership

Public Sector

Cllr. Frank Maher Cllr. Micheal O’Dowd Cllr. Colm Markey Cllr. Jim Ryan

Elected Representatives

Officials

Mr. Michael A. Curran

Director of Services and Secretary of Peace Partnership PEACE III Programme Manager Assistant Programme Manager Network for Peace Officer

Ms. Valerie Artherton Mr. John Farrell Ms. Grainne Cumiskey State Agency Representatives

Mr. David Getty Ms. Sadie Ward McDermott

Dundalk Institute of Technology Louth Meath Education Training Board (formerly Louth VEC)

Local Development Agency Reps

Mr. Ronan Dennedy Ms. Mary Kelly

Louth County Enterprise Board Louth Leader Partnership

Social Partners

Mr. Liam Woods Mr. Michael Farrell Ms. Breda Tuite Ms. Phil Conyngham

Irish Farmers Association Chamber of Commerce The Guild of Uriel Drogheda Federation of Residents and Tenants Associations Drogheda Volunteer Centre Minority Ethnic Communities Women for Action on Disability and Equality Fáilte Abhaile/Displaced Persons Victims and Survivors of the Conflict Minority Faith Communities The Travelling Community

Ms. Ide Lenihan Ms. Atinuke Achioya Ms. Christina O’Boyle Mr. Kevin Mulgrew Mr. Laurence McKeown Mr. Leonard Hatrick Ms. Mary Matthews

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Louth PEACE III

Co. Louth PEACE III Programme Deliverers & Partners NAME OF GROUP

PROJECT

TYPE OF DELIVERY

New Border Generation

Youth Promoting Peace

Tender

Co-Exist Ltd

Peer Leaders 2 Peace Youth Leadership Programme

Tender

Comhairle na nog

Peace Building and Networking Programme

Partner Delivery

Co-Operation Ireland

Schools Connecting Cultures

Tender

Louth County Museum CreateSchool

Co-Operation Ireland

SPIRAL for Schools

Tender

The Netwell Centre Louth County Museum Navan Education Centre Louth Older People’s Forum

County Louth VEC (now known as Louth Meath Education and Training Board

Diverse Leaders Project

Partner Delivery

Louth Minority Ethnic Consortium

Wellington Hall

Wellington Hall Shared Space

Tender

Diversity Challenges

Aftermath Project

Tender

Louth County Enterprise Board

Ethnic Entrepreneurship Programme

Partner Delivery

Louth Minority Ethnic Consortium

Community Integration Programme

Partner Delivery

Community Restorative Justice Newry/Armagh

Community Restorative Justice Programme

Tender

County Louth VEC (now known as Louth Meath Education and Training Board)

Peace of Art Project

Partner Delivery

Louth County Council

Network for Peace

Partner Delivery

Blu Zebra Ltd and Ann McGeeney

Action Learning Programme

Tender

KW Research and Associates Ltd

Peace Building Leadership Programme

Tender

Blu Zebra Ltd and Ann McGeeney

Communications Programme

Tender

Blu Zebra Ltd and Ann McGeeney

Partnership Learning Programme

Tender

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DELIVERY PARTNERS

The Integration Centre Rural Community Network – Rural Enabler Programme Louth County Museum

Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation

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Connect • Share • Learn www.networkforpeace.org

A project supported by the PEACE III Programme managed for the Special European Union Programmes Body by Co Louth Peace and Reconciliation Partnership