Northern Ireland is a deeply divided society still coming to terms with the legacy of a conflict marked by inter-communal violence, death and injury, economic stagnation and social division. Arguably, this is no more evident than in the city of Belfast which has witnessed some of the worst atrocities of the conflict and is noted for its significant residential segregation, volatile interface areas, duplication of services and public disorder over contentious issues such as parades and flag-flying and other forms of cultural celebration. A significant proportion of its citizens inhabit quite separate worlds, associated with religious affiliation and political orientation, and these differences have resulted in a society based on mistrust, intolerance and suspicion of ‘the other’. 

Despite the historic political agreement reached on May 8th last year, people in Belfast live, attend school, celebrate traditions, play sport and socialise separately. Belfast is very much still a divided society. Belfast City Council created a ‘Good Relations Unit’ in 2003 to promote Good Relations throughout the city. The Unit has found that the key to the promotion of Good Relations is a process of community engagement.

Community engagement in the context of good relations work is the active process of making connections and developing quality contact between individuals and communities, for the purpose of challenging stereotypes, developing respect and mutual understanding and building sustainable relationships which transcend current cultural, ideological, religious, ethnic or racial divisions in Northern Ireland. One of the fundamental principles underpinning the Shared Future policy framework is the importance of building relationships. 
 
This session tells how this is done - the successes, obstacles and dilemmas. It will focus on the Council’s document: ‘Community Engagement, Good Relations and Good Practice’ and will provide points for discussion and engagement through a series of visual slides and key points.

 

Moderator
David Robinson, Good Relations Officer Belfast City Council (Northern Ireland)

 

Speakers

Conor Maskey, Councillor on the Belfast City Council