Mediation Northern Ireland (MNI) is involved
in a wide range of mediative responses. Since it changed its
name to Mediation Northern Ireland, the former 'Network' has
been increasing its volume of direct mediation work and as
a result has brought its number of associate practitioners
and trainers up to thirty, in addition to a staff of twelve
people. As well as providing a mediation service which works
with individuals, communities and organisations wanting to
deal creatively with specific disputes, it is engaged in long-term
work, for example with several Good Relations Forums providing
private spaces for local district councillors, officials and
other citizens to have facilitated dialogue. MNI also provides
local volunteer monitors who are equipped and available to
be a third party presence at times of heightened tension across
Northern Ireland.
The demand for training is good, particularly
from the public and voluntary sectors, but increasingly from
the private sector as well. The aim here is to prevent future
disputes by having capable people in place in community, public,
church, and other organisations who might develop their own
mediative responses to conflict or at least might know when
mediation might be a good option in addressing a dispute.
MNI would welcome enquiries from people with strong experience,
interested in furthering their capabilities by undertaking
an NVQ in mediation at Level 4, reflecting an increased professionalism
in the field. As well as this and other formal mediation training
programmes it also runs a range of open access and customised
training and learning courses with a range of skill levels
on community relations themes (further information on request).
A varied policing programme includes working
with new recruits to PSNI, providing opportunities for facilitated
dialogue on community relations issues. It also provides opportunities
for a broad range of 'civic leaders' to learn from the challenges
faced by other countries in developing good relations between
community and police.
In the last year Mediation Northern Ireland
has been supporting local practitioners in the Greater Manchester
area to develop new approaches to community cohesion particularly
in response to inter-racial contention and violence in Oldham.
This experience is informing the development of the Agency's
own work in Northern Ireland.
Overall, MNI's services include conciliation,
consultancy, facilitation, mediation, negotiation, social
development and training and learning; it aims to be involved
in dispute intervention, building good relations, peace building
and civic diplomacy. These areas are explored more on the
MNI website at www.mediationnorthernireland.org (note that
some background papers may be under 'About us' on the website).
MNI originally began as the Northern Ireland Conflict Mediation
Association in 1987.
Militarisation: Death
from a distance 'Death from a distance; the ongoing militarisation of
Ireland' is the latest detailed report from Afri (48
pages, A4) and is in two parts by two different authors, John
Cullen and Susan Ní Maolthuile. The first takes a look
at third level educational institutions and their involvement
in research connected with the arms trade as the Irish research
base becomes more integrated with Europe (this part has received
some publicity in the media); it also updates on some companies
involved. The second part looks at the militarisation of Shannon
airport and how it has been effectively handed over to the
US military without the assent of the Dáil; "Given
the involvement by Ireland….we share responsibility
for the consequences, including the loss of innocent life
and the chaos that now reigns in Iraq." (introduction
to the report). The report is available from Afri, 134 Phibsborough
Road, Dublin 7, phone 01 - 8827581/8827563, fax 8827576, e-mail
afri@iol.ie and website www.afri.buz.org
Earthwatch RIP but to
let rip again
Earthwatch, the Irish (Republic) section of Friends of the
Earth has passed away due to financial and other difficulties.
But the result is not a FOEgone conclusion as an initiative
is underway to launch a new Irish Friends of the Earth in
the autumn, including eight or more of the local Earthwatch
groups. Meanwhile FOE in Northern Ireland is acting as the
contact point; FOE, 7 Donegall Street Place, Befast BT1 2FN,
phone 028 (048 from Republic) - 90 23 34 88 or e-mail foe-ni@foe.co.uk
SCI/IVS/VSI: International
workcamps and projects
The 2004 edition of the invaluable International Volunteer
Projects booklet is now available from IVS (International
Voluntary Service) in the North and VSI (Voluntary Service
International) in the Republic; there is also a searchable
database at www.sciint.org
(click on 'Workcamps of 2004' under 'Activities'). This details
short term opportunities (varies but typically a fortnight)
in around fifty countries with very varied kinds of work,
so varied in fact that there should be something for everyone
(including anti-racist, third world solidarity, peace, working
with people with disabilities, work with children, ecological,
women's/gender projects, arts and culture etc). In the North
it is available in return for a large sae with 47p postage;
in the Republic it is available price €4 including postage
from either the VSI office or in branches of Easons. Please
note VSI has new e-mail and web addresses as listed below.
ARAN - Animal Rights
Action Network
Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) is now Ireland's largest
grassroots speak for animals organisation. We have active
campaign co-coordinators all over the country highlighting,
co-coordinating, doing demos, protests, education tables and
much more in the good fight to end animal abuse. We campaign
wherever and whenever animal abuse occurs and is against all
forms of animal cruelty. We now also have the tremendous support
of many international animal rights and protection organisations.
ARAN is a voluntary group and our volunteers give whatever
time they can to help further the cause of animal liberation.
Please, if you want to hook up with like minded people and
start doing whatever you can do whenever you can do it please
let us know, we want to work with you. ARAN, PO Box 722, Kildare.
E-mail: arancampaigns@hotmail.com
and phone 087 - 6275579.
Quakers hit 350
The Religious Society of Friends/Quakers are the only significant
'historic peace church' in Ireland, and this year are celebrating
350 years since the first recorded Friends Meeting for Worship
in a Co Armagh home in 1654. A variety of activities will
be happening including open days, other activities and an
Irish stamp [no remarks, please, about 'I bet you can
lick the Quakers!', it's probably self-adhesive - Ed].
Further info on the website at www.quakers-in-ireland.org
or Chris McCartney, 108 Dufferin Avenue, Bangor BT20 3AY,
ph/fax 028 - 9127 5550, e-mail 350quaker@fish.co.uk
Religions and the politics
of peace and conflict
This is the title of an international interdisciplinary conference
taking place in Dublin run by the Irish School of Ecumenics
from 8pm on 15th June until after 6pm on 17th June with a
variety of speakers from the USA, Britain, and Ireland. Full
fee is €100 (not including meals), unwaged €40,
free to TCD students. Details from; Hyo-Jung Kim, ISE Communications
Officer, Irish School of Ecumenics, Bea House, Milltown Park,
Dublin 6, phone 01 - 260 1144 ext 112, fax 260 1158, e-mail
religions.peace@tcd.ie
INCORE International
Summer School 14-18 June 2004
The International Summer School in Derry/Londonderry provides
an intensive week of training, networking and discussion in
the field of conflict resolution. Facilitated by leading experts,
the International Summer School is aimed at mid to senior
level policy makers, practitioners, academics, the media,
military and development organisations. The School provides
an interactive learning environment and attempts to bridge
the gap between policy, practice and research. Three courses
are on offer for 2004:
The Management of Peace Processes,
Track Two Diplomacy and Conflict Transformation
Evaluation and Impact Assessment of
Peacebuilding Projects.
For further information on the courses, facilitators,
tuition fees, and the online application form, please visit
the Summer School web site at: Incore
Phone 028 - 7137 5500.
INCORE/WAVE Conference
On 16th March at the City Hotel, Derry/Londonderry, INCORE,
along with WAVE Trauma Centre, co-hosted a conference entitled
'Restoring Justice: A Challenge for Northern Ireland'.
The aim of the conference was to examine how various
sections of the community perceive the term justice and what
the justice issues are for communities in the transition.
Two international speakers brought a comparative analysis
to the audience and introduced different types of judicial
systems to the conference. There was also a panel of representatives
from locally based groups working in the area of justice and
peace-building. The conference was well-attended, with a cross-section
of WAVE members and community representatives, over 100 participants
in total.
South Asian Conflict
Resolution Program
From January to April, INCORE is hosting 20 professionals
from 5 south Asian countries - India, Pakistan, Bangladesh,
Sri Lanka and Nepal. The group, comprising academics, government
officials, MPs, journalists and NGO workers, are in Derry
/Londonderry on a British Council funded program under the
Chevening Scholars Scheme. The group are studying conflict
resolution issues - in a workshop-based format and have also
just finished placements at prominent academic, NGO and media
organisations in Northern Ireland.
Nepalese Peacebuilding
Tour
In January, INCORE, in association with the Nepal Peace Campaign,
hosted a group of Nepalese politicians for a week-long seminar
course on peace-building. The example of Northern Ireland
was utilsied as an example for Nepal - which is currently
experiencing a civil war between the monarchy and Maoist rebels
- where the elected representatives have been sidelined.
Politicians and Community
Relations Project
INCORE has commenced a new project on Politicians and Community
Relations. The aim of this project is to acquire a greater
understanding of the perspectives of Northern Ireland's politicians
on Community Relations (CR) work, in order to provide a knowledge
base for the formulation of a more cohesive and agreed approach
to the future of such work on the part of politicians, CR
practitioners and policy makers. The initial data collection
for this project will be conducted via surveys, interviews
and focus groups and will be followed by dissemination, a
Seminar and a Conference. Members of the Northern Ireland
Assembly and District Councillors will be invited to explore
the preliminary results at a seminar in June 2004. A conference
to be held in September 2004 will feature international experts
in the field, Assembly Members and District Councillors, as
well as CR policy makers and representatives of the community
and voluntary sector.
International observers
wanted for Peace Brigades
Peace Brigades International (PBI) is looking for international
observers to work for the protection of human rights defenders
in Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala and Indonesia. You must be
25+ and fluent in the language of the country concerned. An
orientation weekend will take place near Beaconsfield, England
from 20th to 23rd May. PBI is a humanitarian organisation
committed to the non-violent resolution of conflicts with
the objective of creating a breathing space in conflict zones
so civilians can organise to defend their rights. For more
info send your CV and (if possible) an A4 SAE with 74p British
stamps to PBI UK, 1b Waterlow Road, London N19 5NJ, e-mail
pbiuk@gn.apc.org
An amazing Convergence
The amazingly creative and varied Convergence Sustainable
Living Festival is again approaching, 22nd April to 2nd May,
at Cultivate: Sustainable Living Centre, 15 - 19 Essex Street
West, Temple Bar, Dublin 8. There are over 100 events 'Mixing
content from researchers, policy makers and business, with
that of artists, poets, and designers, Convergence takes a
multicultural and inter-disciplinary approach to sustainability.'
Details at www.sustainable.ie/convergence
or for tickets/information ph. 01 - 674 5773 (festival pass
for most events €100).
West Papua; 88 TDs sign
up for UN review
The Republic may be the first state in Europe in which a majority
of parliamentarians, 88 of them, have urged the United Nations
to review the so-called "Act of Free Choice"
(which was anything but) in 1969 which rubber-stamped Indonesia's
control of the territory. Mark Doris of West Papua Action
said it is conservatively estimated that 100,000 West Papuans
have died through Indonesian control. Meanwhile West Papua
Action has been hosting a delegation from West Papua; see
http://westpapuaaction.buz.org/latest-news.htm
Subscriptions to West Papua Action are €15 or €5
unwaged/student rate. West Papua Action, 134 Phibsborough
Road, Dublin 7, phone 01 860 3431, Mobile 087 - 2969742, Fax
01 - 882 7576, e-mail wpaction@iol.ie
and web http://westpapuaaction.buz.org
Mordechai Vanunu to
be released
The Israeli nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu is to be
released finally on 21st April following 18 years imprisonment
due to kidnapping by Israeli agents in Europe. A Peace People
delegation including Nobel laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire
will be among those welcoming him out of prison and celebrating
his life and commitment to no nuclear weapons. Peace People,
224 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 6GE, phone 028 - 90 66 34 65,
e-mail info@peacepeople.com
and web www.peacepeople.com
For info on Vanunu see e.g. www.vanunu.freeserve.co.uk
Chernobyl Children's
Project
The phone and fax numbers for the new address of Chernobyl
Children's Project (see NN117) are 021 - 431 2999 (phone)
and 021 - 431 3170 (fax). The full address is; Chernobyl Children's
Project, Ballycurreen Industrial Estate, Kinsale Road, Cork.
E-mail is adiroche@adiccp.org
and web www.chernobyl-ireland.com
Alternatives to Violence
Project (AVP) in Northern Ireland
AVP is an effort to help people creatively reduce the amount
of negative conflict in their lives. To promote AVP in Northern
Ireland, a new leaflet is available; you can contact AVP at
avp2transform@hotpop.com or contact c/o INNATE or Kilcranny
House, 21 Cranagh road, Coleraine BT51 3NN, ph 028 - 7032
1816, e-mail info@kilcranny.thegap.com
Peace News on nonviolent
action in Israel/Palestine
The latest issue of Peace News features Nonviolent action
in Israel/Palestine as its special feature with excellent
in-depth articles and resources list. Peace News, 5 Caledonian
Road, London N1 9DY, web www.peacenews.info or admin e-mail
admin@peacenews.info and phone +44 - 20 7278 3344.
Nonviolence Help website
A very useful resource for nonviolence and nonviolence training
in English is the Nonviolence Help website at http://nonviolencehelp.tripod.com
which is put together by Iain Murray in Australia. It includes
information on theory and practice of nonviolent social change,
case studies and training agendas.
Nonviolent
News is usually produced 10 times a year (on
paper) and extended e-mail and web editions
Subscriptions for the printed edition
are; UK£5 or €8 minimum
(£3 or €5 unwaged or you
can have Nonviolent News e-mailed (suggested donation
£2 or €3 minimum).
Additional donations welcome and vital
to keep INNATE afloat. Submissions are welcome - the
deadline for the next issue is noted on the left.
You can browse through previous issues
from the menu on the left.
