INNATE has two forms of existence. One is as
a informal network with primarily an information function
and occasional gatherings at conferences and meetings. The
other is as a Belfast-based group which carries out the above
function and also works as an action group.
2001 was a good year for INNATE, relatively speaking, with
positive inputs on a variety of issues and much achieved by
the few people actively involved - thanks particularly to
Gordon, Mark, Mark (yes, mark the two Marks), Christy and
Cara. As I always say in this annual report - additional involvement
is welcome and can make a big difference in what can be done
(and, no, we try not to make you secretary and chief bottle
washer at your first meeting.......i.e. to allow those involved
to define their level of engagement). INNATE is entirely voluntary
with no one paid for work done.
The springtime of 2001 saw a conference on the
arms trade organised by INNATE in Belfast, focusing particularly
on the Belfast involvement seeing as Derry (Foyle Ethical
Investment Campaign) and Dublin/the Republic (AFrI/Action
from Ireland) are relatively well covered (by the respective
groups mentioned in brackets). The conference was successful
but the subsequent setting up of BLEIC - Belfast and Lisburn
Ethical Investment Campaign - has been slow and it remains
to be seen if it is viable. Expressions of interest and involvement
in this area are welcome. The biggest bomb factory in Belfast,
after all, has won many awards (Thales, aka Shorts Missile
Systems) and there are a number of other, smaller bomb part
factories.
In November we were delighted to be a co-host
(with Healing Through Remembering) of a seminar on 'Dealing
with the Past - Chile: a case study of human rights and human
wrongs' with input provided by Roberta Bacic. This gave people
an opportunity to get to grips with a generally unfamiliar
peace process.
INNATE played a significant role in the take
off of AVP, the Alternatives to Violence Programme, in Northern
Ireland (it has been in existence and well built up in the
Republic over half a dozen years now). AVP is still at an
early stage but its three-stage or weekend programme, run
in both community and prison workshops, and focusing on alternatives
to violence at a personal level has a valuable contribution
to make. The strategy here is to get enough people through
to third (facilitator) level that workshops can in future
be run without having to engage facilitators from Dublin.
Website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/avpbelfast
INNATE also ran the meeting out of which the
Justice Not Terror Coalition in Belfast emerged, responding
to 11th September in the USA and the war in Afghanistan. This
grouping has now more or less run its course (it ran a weekly
vigil at City Hall in Belfast, among other things) but still
hopes to do documentation work on the war and respond to future
developments. Website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/justice-not-terror
So far as the information function of INNATE
is concerned, ten issues of Nonviolent News were produced
during the year. Although it began towards the end of 2000,
the e-mail edition - the same content as the web edition -
is a much expanded version with editorials and a topical/political/satirical
column written by Billy King. The paper edition of Nonviolent
News is always 2 pages; the e-mail/web edition runs up to
around 8 pages. Subscribers can receive one or both editions
(paper and/or e-mail) according to choice. The INNATE website
provides several years back issues of Nonviolent News and
a whole variety of other material. INNATE also tries to provide
suitable information to individual enquirers about nonviolence
and related issues or about particular organisations.
The big challenge of 2002 is the War Resisters
International Triennial conference which takes place in DCU/Dublin
City University, Dublin from 3rd - 10th August this year,
2002. This is an amazing opportunity to interact with peace
and nonviolent activists from around the world. I hope that
the maximum number of people from Ireland will attend and
for those Dublin-resident or or with friends they can stay
with in Dublin there is also a non-resident option, which
would work out cheaper. There will also be a home stay programme
which will maximise the interaction between locals and internationals
- you will be hearing more about all this, not least overleaf
in an accompanying financial appeal (if you wish to make a
donation you can do it at the same time, and with the same
cheque, as your INNATE sub!).
We welcome feedback on what we do and the service
we provide. We always welcome suggestions for things that
might be done. And we look forward to welcoming you, wherever
you are, if you feel you might be able to help.
Rob Fairmichael, Coordinator, INNATE,
February 2002
