Delivering A Reconciliation Agenda
The European Union’s PEACE III Programme in Sligo
Despite its proximity to ‘the border’ Sligo does not have a land border with NI and, it is probably safe to say that the impact of the Northern ‘troubles’ here is somewhat different from their impact in some of the other ‘southern border counties’. In reality the impact of the troubles is often ‘less visible’ in County Sligo, to quote from the Sligo Peace & Reconciliation Action Plan, “The effects of the conflict, though present, are often less visible than in other counties and this invisibility or silence poses a much more difficult starting point for reconciliation efforts”
Members of Sligo Peace III Partnership with Cllr Tony McLoughlin, Chairperson, CDB, Liam McKeever, Pobal and guest speakers Brenda Hegarty, SEUPB, Ann McGeeney & Mayor Sligo Cllr Jimmy McGarry
The European Union funded Sligo Peace and Reconciliation Action Plan was formally launched at a networking event held in the Sligo Yeats Building on Monday 12th October. Speaking at the event, Hubert Kearns, in his role as Chairperson of the Sligo Peace and Reconciliation Partnership Committee, outlined the work on the PEACE III Partnership in Sligo. He acknowledged that the concept and demands of peace and reconciliation work are challenging. The greatest challenge to the work identified in the Sligo peace plan is the silence around issues related to the conflict and quoting from the peace plan he described it as “a silence which created a sense of apathy with regard to the impact the conflict might have had and to our societal responsibility for addressing these issues”.
But, he encouraged, experience within the County and beyond has proved that this work can be done successfully with great rewards. “If the work is carefully managed and relationships nurtured then it can be a positive and healing experience”. He concluded by congratulating all the groups that had been awarded grants or contracts by the Peace partnership and reaffirmed the commitment of the peace partnership to support the groups in their work and build a cohesive peace project in County Sligo which would delivery on a genuine and meaningful programme of peace building.
Guest Speaker Ann McGeeney gave a thought provoking presentation on the challenge of delivering on a reconciliation agenda in Co Sligo. She encouraged all present to explore their personal understanding of sectarianism and how it manifests itself in Sligo and to explore attitudes to and understanding of the NI conflict. She reminded that Sligo had a significant minority faith community with whom to reconcile in terms of religious sectarianism but that this was not always recognised. She also noted that Sligo had its share of political sectarianism eg people displaced as a result of the conflict, former combatants and ex-prisoners and that the nature and extent of this sectarianism has not yet been understood. She also mentioned other groups such as Travellers, internationally displaced people and new communities all of whom needed to be included in the process. She stressed that we must ensure that the burden of addressing Sectarianism and Racism does not become the responsibility of the minority communities who experience sectarianism and racism but also becomes the responsibility of the majority community.
Also speaking at the launch was Brenda Hegarty, Programme Manager from the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Brenda reminded that the aim of the PEACE III Programme was “to build positive relations and challenge attitudes towards sectarianism and racism”. This, she said, could be done “through the development of strong partnerships and meaningful cross-community and cross-border initiatives designed to improve trust and tolerance, and reduce levels of sectarianism and racism”.
Welcome and introductions were made by Councillor Jim Mc Garry, Mayor of Sligo and Councillor Tony McLoughlin, Chairperson, Sligo County Development Board. They welcomed the Sligo Peace Plan and acknowledged the extensive consultation process which had led to the development of the plan. They welcomed the funding of €1.9million received to implement the plan and the opportunities this presented for the County.
An extensive range of work will be commencing under the Sligo peace plan in the coming months implemented through a diverse range of project actions – urban and rural peace actions, work with Travellers, New Communities, Women and youth, diversity training, conflict resolution, arts, sports, dialogue, discussion, storytelling and much more including a small grants scheme.
The Sligo Peace Plan is supported by the European Union’s PEACE III Programme managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by Sligo County Council on behalf of Sligo Peace & Reconciliation Partnership Committee, a sub group of the Sligo County Development Board.
For further information on the programme please contact Dolores McDonagh or Bridie Sweeney at the Office of Community and Enterprise, Sligo County Council on 071 91 11800.
© Sligo County Council, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo, Co. Sligo. Tel:071 9111111 Fax:071 9141119 Email:info@sligococo.ie