barcelona 2014
Post on 08-Jul-2015
113 Views
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Addressing the Roots of Conflict
Analysis of the Long War in N. Ireland (1969-1994)
with
Oliver Corr & Tommy McKearney
Tommy McKearney Oliver Corr
Perceptions of Northern Irish conflict may be arbitrary
• Dates are only a starting point
Colonisation… Williamite war … French revolution… Foundation of Northern Ireland state … Conflict of late 20th century.
1994 ceasefire.
1998 Good Friday Agreement ended physical conflict but did not provide a conclusive accord for future
• An uneasy calm Northern Ireland’s First Minister Peter Robinson says that the arrangement is no longer fit for purpose
Some misconceptions about Irish conflict
• Religious war? Communities defined historically by religion but not a conflict over
theology e.g. Israel & Palestine
• Fighting Irish … congenitally predisposed to violenceNot true. Famine… Republic post 1923 & post 2008
• Britain separating two warring tribesLondon had/has strategic stake in Ireland
Roots of Northern Irish conflict
• 17th Century colonialismPlantation or Settlers displace indigenous in order to garrison
island
• Super power concerns in 20th centuryGreat Britain was world super power until after WW11
• Unequal and discriminatory societyNorthern Ireland systematically practiced discrimination and
enforced it by authoritarian regime
• One community privileged & authorised to police otherRegular police plus armed civilian population
Recent Northern Irish conflict
• Struggle to change nature of NI regime1968 Civil Rights movement … bitterly resisted by state &
supporters
• Resistance from local and central governments1969 street protest turned bloody. Drift towards insurrection
• Armed and bloody conflictBattle between;1) anti-state forces i.e. IRA
fighting 2) Central government plus local state & supporters
• Ended when outside intervened1994 … IRA ceasefire. Ground-work involved initiative by British
central government, Irish government, US government and IRA leadership
Current Northern Irish conflict
• Constant awareness of demographicsCatholic population increasing… a majority in under 40s.
Exacerbating unease and fueling sectarian politics.
• Economic declineGlobalisation has led to relative poverty & unemployment
• Changing face of UKBritish economy has changed … London centric and finance
focused
• Scottish referendum (Catalonia) Adding to unease…British PM offers federalism… No military intervention.
Expac Ltd … its foundation & ethos
• Founded in 1997 as prisoners assistance group Realisation of needs greater than welfare provision
• Need to share understanding of conflictNeed to challenge misconceptions and recognise realities
• Need to engage across the boardNot just with former prisoners but dialogue with all sections of
society
Expac Ltd … efforts and outcomes
• Welfare provision for former prisoners & familiesAssistance post release…research into impact … representation
• The Other View magazineJoint editorship …Understanding that all criticism is not
dangerous
• Conflicts of Interest training Exchange of views but no proselytizing
• Provision of contact and conduits of communicationWork and progress unseen and often underrated
Expac Ltd … Future
• Communication for marginalised communitiesTechnology in modern age & Techniques for the new technology
• Engaging: discontented, disconnected & unsatisfiedEncouraging people to promote their view openly and respectfully
and with impact
• Speaking on air leads to speaking in person Sharing experiences and needs leads to positive common purpose
Thank You
Contact: tommy@expac.ie
PDF of this presentation at; http://www.expac.ie/blog/
oliver@expac.ieor
www.expac.ie
top related