NI 'blueprint' for conflict zones

NI 'blueprint' for conflict zones

The research was compiled by the UN university at Magee College in Londonderry

Community relations initiatives in Northern Ireland could provide a good example for other countries experiencing conflict, according to research from the University of Ulster.

The report was compiled by UNU/INCORE, the United Nations University based at the University of Ulster's Magee campus in Londonderry.

Dr Clem McCartney examined governments' community relations policies in a number of countries including Britain, the Irish Republic, Canada, South Africa, Lebanon and India.

He said that although bitter divisions still exist in Northern Ireland society, government funding and the support of bodies like the Community Relations Council was a blueprint which could be copied by other conflict zones.

Governments are not necessarily good at dealing with people's attitudes and state of mind

Dr Clem McCartney
UNU/INCORE researcher

The report concluded that there was limited experience internationally in promoting better community relations.

It said that many governments have adopted strategies which could hinder the improvement of community relations, either by policies which may disadvantage one or more ethnic communities, or by failing to take account of cultural sensitivities.

Dr McCartney said governments were quite good at setting up structural arrangements, but such measures may not change attitudes or reduce community tensions.

"Governments are not necessarily good at dealing with people's attitudes and state of mind.

"That, possibly, is best done by voluntary bodies and the non-governmental sector which have the flexibility and commitment to pioneer new programmes.

"Governments can encourage them through funding and support," he said.

His research concluded that equivalent bodies to the Community Relations Council could provide a mechanism to bridge the gap between the state and ethnic communities.

INCORE was founded in 1993 in a joint initiative between the University of Ulster and the United Nations University.

Its work focuses on management and resolution of conflict through research, training and other activities.