The International Fund for Ireland Experience ABOUT THE FUND The International Fund for Ireland was established as an independent international organisation in 1986 by the British and Irish Governments. Financial support for the Fund has been provided by the United States of America, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The objectives of the Fund are • a cross-community, to promote social and economic cross-border approach advance and to encourage contact, dialogue and reconciliation • a willingness to take risks on between nationalists and behalf of the communities we unionists throughout Ireland. work with

The Board of the International • early support for community Fund for Ireland is appointed initiatives through ‘first money jointly by the Irish and British on the table’ 1 Governments. The administration of the Fund is provided by a • co-operation with other 1 In 2008, the International Fund for Ireland hosted a conference designed to Secretariat, headed by Joint funders and leveraging of share innovations and best practice in Directors General, based in funds from other sources youth reconciliation. The event brought Belfast and . together 25 community groups from across • a willingness to innovate and the to share experiences, learn from The Fund’s programmes and to break new ground each other and celebrate achievements. are characterised by: in support of reconciliation Pictured at the event were: Denis Rooney, Chairman of • a clear focus on reconciliation • and a responsive approach the International Fund for Ireland as the over riding objective to donor priorities (centre) with Joe Hinds, Community Relations Council, Ivan Cross, Tara McHugh - Logan and Robert Deignan • an independent and of Corrymeela Community. credible approach with strong international backing

Derry/ Londonderry Antrim Donegal

Tyrone

Down Leitrim Fermanagh Armagh

Monaghan Sligo

Cavan Louth 2 ABOUT CHAIRMAN’S THE FUND FOREWORD For almost thirty years, Northern Ireland was synonymous internationally with violence, political instability and economic stagnation with a significant spill-over effect in the border counties of the Republic.

in a largely segregated society 1 This conflict, or ‘The Troubles’ as it is often referred to, had an remains unresolved. Northern impact on every part of society. Ireland is still divided by our so- 2 The Troubles were marked by called ‘peace lines’ and sectarian prejudices are still evident across 1 Fund Chairman Denis Rooney. issues such as segregation, intimidation, social deprivation, our society. As we move forward, 2 The International Fund has been working with and failure to attract economic the Fund’s work in promoting Greenhill YMCA, Newcastle, Co. Down since 1988 integration and challenging to support its community relations work and the development. Communities development of its residential facilities. became isolated and that these attitudes is once again isolation formed a barrier to at the forefront of community Pictured are young people enjoying the Summer Adventure Camp at Greenhill YMCA. civic and political progress. relations and peace building.

Since 1986, the International Sadly, Northern Ireland and Fund for Ireland has worked the border counties have not to promote economic and been alone in dealing with life social advance and to in the midst of conflict and encourage contact, dialogue unrest. Other regions of the and reconciliation between world are also dealing with nationalists and unionists conflict. Given its history over throughout Ireland. For more the last twenty years, the than twenty years, the Fund Fund is committed to sharing has been responsible for many its experiences as a model groundbreaking, innovative and for intervention with other often risk-taking projects in the organisations and regions pursuit of its objectives. seeking to move beyond conflict to creating more During the last twenty years, stable civic societies. huge progress has been made through the peace process in It is our hope that this document Northern Ireland and there now “Effective Peace Building” will is a cautious optimism about the provide some insight into the future. The Fund has kept pace Fund’s history, achievements and with the changing times and work, with a view to encouraging is once again moving into new others to continue to strive to areas. While Northern Ireland build sustainable peace for this and the border counties have and future generations. seen considerable economic growth, the unpalatable fact that we still live, work and learn

3 In its early years, the International Fund for Ireland concentrated on achieving its objectives of economic regeneration and reconciliation mainly through economic projects.

1 Building economic stability development to advance. These in disadvantaged areas included the following: struggling to attract investment 1 The International Fund for Ireland • Local micro finance began working with the Seacourt and employment was a key programmes to Community Council in Larne, Co. Antrim priority for the Fund. Activities in 2002, facilitating a long term encourage entrepreneurship; programme of change in the area. in support of this objective Previously a troubled, divided and served as a means of promoting • A small business task force unsettled area, the Seacourt area now greater civic stability, building to review local industry has a flourishing youth club, community centre and a range of partnerships with community confidence and sectors and identify statutory agencies. Further funding for providing opportunities for opportunities for development; the area has also been leveraged as a people to work together for a result of the Fund’s involvement peaceful and prosperous future. • Support for the development Pictured is four year old Kaci Shaw at of workspace to encourage the Summer Scheme/Seacourt Youth Economically focused activity business start up; Club fun evening. during these years included • Development of major encouraging community groups infrastructure for tourism; to work together to develop properties into thriving centres • Establishing cross-border which combined work space partnerships and links to units and retail outlets with support economic activity; much needed neutral community • Using development facilities. As well as building in urban areas as a community confidence and means of stimulating bringing people together, such community confidence;, projects helped to bring life back to many towns and villages • Identifying common concerns seriously affected by violence in the Agricultural and and instability. Fisheries sectors and establishing appropriate Given that much of this work was support programmes to new to the community, the Fund respond to these issues;, invested considerable time and resources in its earliest days • Supporting innovation and to working in partnership with research and development local communities. Many needed in the Science and support and encouragement to Technology sectors. come together, plan and develop Throughout all of this work, ideas. The Fund supported this the Fund sought to foster process, taking a partnership cross-community and cross- approach to developing new border relationships, exposing projects and ideas. The Fund individuals and communities was frequently the first to to new opportunities to learn support such projects, enabling and work together. communities to access more funding and build new As well as economic relationships with partners programmes, the Fund was in the statutory and not-for- one of the first major supporters profit sectors. of cross community and cross border contact programmes In its first years of operation for young people. Its Wider the Fund put in place initiatives Horizon Programme provides which would enable economic opportunities for young people 4 In 2006, the International Fund for Ireland launched its ‘Sharing this Space’ strategy following an independent review of its progress and achievements.

to come together on a cross border In recognition of the changing and cross community basis to context in which the Fund is improve their skills, build their operating, the strategy places confidence and increase their long a very strong focus on promoting term employment opportunities. integration, reconciliation and Similar schools-based projects a genuinely ‘shared future’ for such as Knowledge through Northern Ireland and the Enterprise for Youth (KEY) and border counties. Learning and Educating Together (LET) bring teenagers together to While the promotion of economic learn about common themes such regeneration still remains part of as enterprise while providing them the Fund’s work, there is now an with opportunities to meet peers even greater focus on tackling from a wide variety of backgrounds. issues such as sectarianism and segregation, and this has once One of the many challenges again positioned the Fund at the facing the Fund in its early days forefront of major new initiatives. was the issue of poor community capacity. Years of sectarian violence The Fund is already leading and isolation meant that many in new approaches that communities needed to grow in promote integration through confidence and ability to deal with new programmes focusing problems within their own areas, on education, housing and before they could begin to consider community groups. cross community or cross border relationships. In many areas, there In addition, there is a greater was a lack of leadership. Many emphasis on sustainability in of the projects supported and the Fund’s work. The Fund has funded, particularly in the Fund’s 1 invested considerable resources early years, required very sensitive in major projects that will have handling and support. Many of 2 a long term impact on peace the now longest established building and integration. The community groups were formed 1 Developed and supported by the lessons learned over the last by individuals taking very International Fund for Ireland, two decades can be shared by courageous steps in order to bring in partnership with The Atlantic Philanthropies, the Sharing the Fund with other regions about change in their community. Education Programme offers emerging from conflict. students from across the community The Fund invested substantial in Northern Ireland the chance to resources in programmes such share enhanced educational and development opportunities and as the Community Leadership develop positive relationships with 2 Integrating Community Programme, the Communities those from different backgrounds Organisations is a new support in Transition Programme and the and cultures. programme which aims to help community organisations throughout Community Bridges Programme Pictured at the Sharing Education Northern Ireland and the border to build capacity and confidence Programme launch are (from counties to co-operate on a cross so that progress could be made. left) Denis Rooney, Chairman, border and/or cross community International Fund for Ireland; basis to work for the benefit of Funding was also made available Professor Tony Gallagher, School their community. Pictured at the to resource communities to of Education, Queen’s University launch are Denis Rooney, Chairman, tackle issues in their own areas, Belfast; Padraic Quirk, The Atlantic International Fund for Ireland and develop community groups and Philanthropies and a pupil from Caroline Breakey, Chairman, Rural Limavady High School, one of the Development Council which will to take the first steps towards participating schools. deliver the Programme for the Fund. cross-community and cross- border relationships. 5 Throughout the Fund’s SINCE 1986 THE FUND HAS: existence external reviews and evaluations have been • committed over carried out, with the latest £600m/ 870m to by Deloitte MCS Ltd in April specific projects 2005, providing the following independent comments: • completed over 5,700 projects “IFI has a unique standing within all communities in Northern • created more than Ireland and the South, notably 55,000 jobs within areas regarded as most difficult to reach and it • engaged more has been able to transcend than 15,000 young ‘political’ disputes and tensions. people on training IFI has a connectedness to programmes communities and structures which other funders do not • helped leverage and is regarded as distinctive, additional funding innovative and risk taking. The on a ratio of 1:2.2 flexibility of the Fund’s operating which has resulted approach was universally acknowledged and positively in total investment of endorsed by stakeholders, around £1.5b/ 2b other funders and communities, especially in relation to being ‘first money on the table’.”

1 “IFI has developed and supported a number of innovative 2 community development models which have addressed a range 1 The International Fund for Ireland of politically sensitive issues. was the main funder of the Community These community initiatives have Network Services (CNS) Project - an also evidenced reconciliation innovative and ambitious initiative to bring wireless broadband internet access to the benefits between nationalists North-West border region through and unionists.” cross-border partnership. Pictured at the launch are from left: “There is also evidence that Paddy Harte, International Fund for Ireland, aside from leveraging funding, Denis Rooney, Chairman, International Fund for Ireland and Colm McColgan, ERNACT IFI involvement has raised the at the launch of the community broadband profile of areas and fostered scheme in Castlefin, Co. Donegal. multi-agency approaches to

2 The International Fund’s Community addressing needs.” Bridges Programme has been running since 1996. It aims to help communities in Northern Ireland and the border counties to use innovative and ground breaking community projects to address issues of difference and division. Pictured at the launch of a further £9m/ 13 million investment are Liam McCusker, Roisin Brennan, Neil McMaster and Rebecca Bell from the Spirit of Enniskillen Trust.

6 The International Fund for Ireland has already shared its experiences and expertise with delegations from other conflict areas including , Croatia, Iraq and Timor Leste.

1 1 Denis Rooney, International Rice, Congressman Crowley Fund for Ireland Chairman is said “I have strongly supported pictured with Nawaz Rajabdeen, US investment in the IFI, whose (right) President, Federation efforts have been tremendously of Chambers of Commerce & successful facilitating Industry of Sri Lanka, who led relationships between the a delegation of members of Sri two communities in conflict Lanka’s Federation of Chambers in Northern Ireland, putting of Commerce & Industry. The their economies back on track.” delegation’s trip to Ireland included visits to Fund During the Chairman’s visit supported projects. to Washington in March 2008 he met with Congressman 2 Mr Sjtepan Mesic, President Crowley and discussed the 2 of the Republic of Croatia, is call for assistance by the US pictured with young people from for efforts in the . Youth Action. The President The International Fund offered led a group of business people its support for this initiative in from Croatia in a visit which terms of sharing the Fund model focused on peace, reconciliation, with other interested groups. regeneration and economic development in Northern Ireland. Pictured in Washington are The group’s tour included a visit from left: Eamon Hickey, Joint to YouthAction, an organisation Director General, International which the Fund has supported Fund; Congressman Joseph for a number of years and which Crowley; Denis Rooney, aims to enable disadvantaged Chairman, International Fund young people to achieve their and Sandy Smith, Joint Director 3 full potential and be active and General, International Fund. equal citizens whose voices are heard, respected and The International Fund’s valued. The group also Secretariat participated in heard from participants a visit by the Irish Government’s in the Fund’s Community Special Envoy, Dame Nuala Leadership Programme. O’Loan, to Timor Leste (East Timor), in May 2008. The 3 US Congressman Joseph Secretariat briefed members Crowley cited the International of Government, including Fund for Ireland’s successful Vice Prime Minister José promotion of reconciliation Luis Guterres, the staff as a model for a proposed of the UN mission and NGOs, International Fund for the on the Fund’s experience Middle East. Writing to US as a vehicle for economic Secretary of State Condolezza progress and reconciliation.

7 Lessons learned from the International Fund for Ireland experience.

The International Fund for Fund is managed by a Secretariat unemployment prevailing in the Ireland has, since 1986, engaged comprising seconded civil servants late 1980’s were intolerable to in activities in support of peace provided jointly by the British and both communities and any efforts and reconciliation in Ireland. The Irish Governments. The Fund was to improve the situation could be following paragraphs describe therefore a milestone in North- supported by all. the significant features of the South cooperation on the island Fund’s operation for the purpose of Ireland. The International Fund was of enabling the International Fund initially viewed with considerable model to be shared with other The key element to the operation suspicion by some Unionists regions of the world that are of the Fund was the creation of an in Northern Ireland, many of experiencing or emerging from independent Board comprising a whom regarded it as an attempt conflict. It is not suggested that Chairman and six Board Members to induce them towards political the International Fund is the sole from the community. Of the six change against their will. Over model for success but rather that Board Members, three are normally time, however, the Fund’s even- it has some unique elements that domiciled in Northern Ireland and handedness in decision-making could be applied successfully in three in the Republic of Ireland. A and its independence from political other regions. conventional rotation arrangement influence have won it the trust of was put in place to allow Members all communities. This document is intended to signal to serve on the Board for no more the Fund’s willingness to share its than two terms of three years. The There have been several experience with places where the initial agreement was that the Fund independent evaluations of the work International Fund model could be should target projects in Northern of the Fund and these, together with helpful. The document should be Ireland and the border counties local politicians, community leaders of interest to countries that provide of the Republic of Ireland with a and the media, have endorsed the financial intervention in other desired funding ratio of 75% to Fund’s actions as an exceptionally regions experiencing or emerging the North and 25% to the Southern effective and vital initiative and a from conflict. border counties. This ratio reflects very important contributor to the the size of the population in Peace Process. The International Fund has been those areas. a unique initiative in many The main features of the ways. Born out of a desire by The stated aim for the Fund is to: International Fund which could the international community, have wider global application are and especially those countries (i) promote economic and social as follows: where there is a significant Irish advance in Northern Ireland and diaspora, to help pragmatically the Border counties; and Firstly, the fact that the Fund with the Northern Ireland conflict was international in terms of its and strongly supported by the two (ii) promote contact, dialogue and funding, diplomatic support and sovereign governments directly reconciliation between unionists accountability meant that the local affected, it was established in 1986 and nationalists throughout the community understood that it was under the Anglo Irish Agreement. Island of Ireland. not direct Government intervention.

The basic concept was the Over the 22 years of the Fund’s This enabled the Fund to avoid the establishment of a Fund under existence, it has invested over suspicion of partisanship attached the control of an independent £600m/ 870m supporting some to Government funding. This had Board to undertake projects using 5700 projects. The strong emphasis the additional benefit of enabling the donations provided by the in the early years was on economic the Fund to have direct involvement Governments of the US, European interventions. The approach taken in projects on which the two Union, Canada, Australia and New was that regardless of political sovereign Governments could Zealand. The administration of the viewpoint, the high levels of not easily act. The international 8 donors appointed Observers to comprising senior officials (c) provide active donor participation the Board to assist its work. The of the two sovereign Governments. to ensure accountability and offer Observers have offered the Fund diplomatic support; diplomatic support as well as an The final key element was independent perspective which has the fact that the International (d) ensure that the administration greatly enhanced its effectiveness. Fund did not build up a large is as streamlined and effective as bureaucratic organisation to possible with the body engaging The second key element has been administer projects but worked with partners as much as possible; the independence of the Board. in partnership with a small number This has been vitally important in of regional development officers, (e) provide appropriate ensuring that the choice of projects agents and appropriate sections accountability and evaluation but in for investment has been based on of local government to generate a manner that does not restrict the an objective view of perceived need and develop projects. This provided potential of the body to be flexible and potential impact and has been an unique opportunity for public and effective; an important aspect in building officials on both sides of the trust at community level. The border to work together for the (f) set out a clear initial vision and Board’s diverse range of skills first time, building trust and strategy but be prepared to adapt has also contributed to the success. sharing common experiences. to evolving needs and review at appropriate intervals; The third key element has The conflict in Northern Ireland been the development of a had its own unique features (g) ensure that investment is rigorous but flexible process as all conflicts do. Resolving targeted to the greatest extent of identifying, assessing, monitoring the conflict required intense possible towards sustainable and evaluating projects. The engagement by the two sovereign projects. These are often “bricks International Fund has always Governments as well as the support and mortar” community facilities been willing to nurture projects, of the international community. with income streams that help local which although difficult, were Nevertheless, the key elements economies or strong organisations deemed important in the overall of the International Fund model to carry on the work successfully context. Whilst being strong on outlined above should be applicable long after the body has ceased. procedural controls, it has often to most conflict situations. It is important to remember that acted as “first money on the table”. some investment may be required This vital flexibility has enabled The International Fund experience in building communities’ skills promoters of projects to have suggests the following principles and expertise before this can time to gather support from the for success; be achieved. community and to secure other funding sources. (a) an independent Board In the view of the International comprising people representative Fund for Ireland, these elements A fourth important element of the various strands of provide the greatest opportunity for has been the strong administrative the community in conflict. efficient and effective donor input support provided by the Joint Ensure that the Board is truly to conflict areas and can deliver far Secretariat which has offices independent of the local sovereign and away the best value for money in Belfast and Dublin. The offices government but that it is capable for donors and the greatest impact are headed by Joint Directors of constructive collaboration with for recipients. General on secondment to government agencies; the Fund from the Northern Ireland and the Irish (b) select a strong and administrations. The Fund independent Chair and Board who has also benefited from assistance will command trust from all but by an Advisory Committee retain demonstrable independence;

9 Stewartstown Road Regeneration Project Ltd:

Suffolk is a small Protestant areas of Northern Ireland. The The idea was then tentatively estate with some 850 residents; inevitable outcome was the mooted that the project might Lenadoon is a Catholic estate creation of highly segregated, be undertaken jointly with the with almost 9,000 residents. The single-identity communities adjoining Lenadoon Estate. two adjoining communities are which had little contact with separated by the Stewartstown each other but which often The idea was not easily accepted Road in West Belfast. contained legacies of bitterness by the community in Suffolk. arising from their experiences. Discussions took place throughout In a pattern that is familiar from This was the case with the 1996 although disrupted by major other areas of inter-communal Suffolk and Lenadon estates in violence. In late 1997 separate conflict, the early days of West Belfast which divided into meetings approved cooperation the Troubles saw substantial separate Protestant and Catholic on the project on the basis that movements of population communities. The experiences its purpose was to improve the as a result of insecurity, of the two communities made social and economic well-being intimidation, or violence. This them highly suspicious of each of both communities. was the experience across other and reluctant to cooperate. both communities in significant The Suffolk Estate was further The International Fund remained disadvantaged by its small size supportive throughout the whole and isolation which hindered process. The Fund also put the the development of new first money on the table in terms community facilities. of an offer of funding of almost £0.5 million. The fact that the When in the late 1980s a project had attracted International sizeable area of land fronting Fund support of this magnitude the Stewartstown Road became provided the regeneration available, the Suffolk community company with additional association contacted the credibility in dealing with International Fund for support. other funding organisations. The Fund’s Development Consultant began to work on The Stewartstown Road opportunities for using the Regeneration Project has not site. The concept originally resolved the tensions between developed was to refurbish an Suffolk and Lenadoon but it has 1 existing block of shops to provide provided these two antagonistic employment and as a better communities with a way of 1 Pictured at the Stewartstown location for community work working together for mutual Road Regeneration Project are Renee for the Suffolk Estate. However, benefit and it has provided Crawford and Jean Brown. when this idea was appraised two disadvantaged communities in detail it was found not to be with employment and facilities viable due to the small scale of which they could not otherwise the market provided by Suffolk. have achieved.

Source: Assessment of the International Fund for Ireland’s impacts to 30 September 2000: KPMG Consulting 10 1

2

1 Over 900 young people graduate each year from the KEY. Pictured at the 2007 graduation event are some of the young people who were selected to go to the Canadian Junior Achievement Conference in Montreal.

From left: Rory Maguire, O Fiaich College, Dundalk; David Maye, Dungannon Integrated College; Denis Rooney, Chairman of the International Fund for The KEY Ireland; Deidre Dolan, Community School Carrick on Shannon and Philip Trueman, Programme: Aughnacloy College

2 In 2008, KEY launched new residential KEY stands for ‘Knowledge all activities there is a zero- camps. Pictured at the launch are (from left) Della Clancy, Executive through Enterprise for Youth’, tolerance regime in relation Director, Junior Achievement Ireland; and was launched in 1999 to alcohol, drugs, anti-social Denis Rooney, Chairman, International as an IFI funded initiative to and sectarian behaviour. Fund for Ireland; Valerie Ingram, CEO, Young Enterprise Northern Ireland; assist disadvantaged young Jackie McManus, Carrick-on-Shannon people aged 14-16 on a In the final five day residential, Community School, Co. Leitrim. cross-community and cross- participants identify a business border basis. The concept was idea and run their business selling developed by Young Enterprise the products or services to people Northern Ireland (YENI) and at a local shopping complex. They Junior Achievement Ireland then distribute the profits of the (JAI). The Programme has been business amongst themselves and identified as an exemplary reflect on the learning processes project in the field of business they have undergone, producing and education contacts. outline financial accounts, production, marketing, staff The Programme works on an and management appraisals. annual cycle. YENI/JAI identify the most disadvantaged areas For many of the participants, the and the most disadvantaged KEY Programme is a life-changing schools within those areas. They experience, often representing then seek to recruit the lowest one of the few occasions when achieving class in those schools they have been put in a situation for the Programme. The children requiring self-discipline and team selected tend to be low achievers work to make real achievements. with low self-esteem, poor Peer pressure progressively literacy and numeracy, limited becomes the main means by attention span and limited life- which discipline is enforced experiences. The entire class in the group. is recruited and schools are targeted to provide a balanced A recent independent academic cross-community and cross- evaluation of young people who border mix of participants. participated in KEY found very positive results. An interesting The class travels as a group side effect of the Programme has accompanied by their class been to improve relationships teacher. Over a school year between teachers and pupils, KEY establishes three 3 day who would not otherwise have residentials and one 5 day spent protracted time together residential all held in a remote outside a classroom environment. rural location. The activities The KEY Programme has been consist of a mix of personal found as an effective intervention enterprise related activities and in helping young people to realise outdoor team and confidence their true potential. building activities. Throughout Source: Assessment of the International Fund for Ireland’s impacts to 30 September 2000: KPMG Consulting 11 The Community Leadership Programme:

1 The Community Leadership EU and other funds for such Programme (CLP) provides purposes. Those already involved an illustration of the Fund in community leadership roles 1 Pictured at the launch of the Rural Community Leadership Programme introducing innovative and approached the Fund arguing at Parkanaur College, Dungannon in effective programmes in that in particularly disadvantaged April 2007 are clockwise from top: response to identified needs. communities, individuals with Martin McDonald, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Rural Development The Fund’s flexibility of approach the necessary skills, vision, Council, Earl Michael St. Aldwyn, The enables it to introduce new and experience to lead Rank Foundation, Caroline Breakey, approaches, test and prove community development were Youth Action Northern Ireland, David Gould, Chairperson, Youth Action NI their effectiveness and then not coming forward. This meant and Anne Henderson, Board member, seek to mainstream their that those communities were International Fund for Ireland. provision in national funds not able to participate in or EU Programmes. community-led regeneration and development processes. The CLP was originally introduced as a pilot programme The CLP is a cross-community in 1993. The rationale for the and cross-border Programme Programme was the observed which focuses particularly on failure of some communities, community based organisations particularly in Protestant in disadvantaged areas. The areas, to take advantage of CLP has operated in a number the opportunities for community- of phases and independent led economic regeneration. This evaluation has found it to was despite the availability of have demonstrated its value significant International Fund, and relevance.

Source: Assessment of the International Fund for Ireland’s impacts to 30 September 2000: KPMG Consulting 12 The Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, Co. Wicklow

1 The Glencree Centre for to learn to deal with conflict and Peace and Reconciliation was diversity in healthy pro-active founded in 1974 and since ways. The one, two and three 1 Denis Rooney, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland; that time has engaged with day courses use participatory Congressman Richard Neal, thousands of participants in activities and interactive methods Chairman of the Friends of peacebuilding and reconciliation to help build positive intercultural Ireland Group in the US House of Representatives; with three activities. People from diverse communities in which young members of YouthAction. The US sectors have come together people are active participants Congressional Delegation (CODEL) at Glencree during a time of for change. Over 3000 young visited Glencree in April of 2007. conflict and during the peace people each year took part in process to learn to listen, to tell this programme. their stories, and to grow as individuals. The International The programme integrates Fund for Ireland has supported training on leadership several of these key projects, with practical elements of which have resulted in greater understanding and dealing understanding and changed with conflict at inter-personal, attitudes towards issues related inter-group and inter-community to violent conflict. levels and also exploring the positive and beneficial aspects Peace Education Programme of working and learning across cultural differences The International Fund has to build stronger and healthier supported Glencree’s Peace intercultural communities. Education Programme (PEP) which aims to provide “The children have never had to do opportunities for young people this kind of soul searching when

13 they explore their own attitudes. and sharing such learning. As a They wouldn’t do this in school. result of this position, Glencree This was the first time in their has become a Centre of Learning lives” (Teachers Focus Group). recognised by FETAC.

So far the PEP has added great A Shared Vision 2010 value to Glencree’s international work, especially in Afghanistan. This Legacy project by three Glencree facilitators, in response partners - the International to a request, trained third-level Fund for Ireland, the Office educators in peace education in of Public Works, and the Afghanistan. They created and Glencree Centre for Peace and wrote together a peace education Reconciliation - will result in module for three universities new offices at the historical 1 in Kabul. Glencree Centre site, as well as other building work. This project 1 Glencree Centre for Reconciliation Education Development is taking place at an important and Training time in Glencree’s history; it is a time of transition and planning The Education Development for new growth. The building will and Training Officer was a new provide top quality office space, position created at Glencree and as well as new bedrooms, to supported by a grant from the hold the staff, participants and International Fund for Ireland volunteers as they embark (IFI) in 2005. The EDT Officer, on new programmes and Eamon Rafter, is responsible new challenges. for the development of sharing the learning of the An important part of Glencree’s Glencree Centre for Peace future is the international work and Reconciliation through that is has started. Already, appropriate accreditation we have shared experiences systems and the establishment from these islands with people of a Centre of Learning. dealing with violent conflict in the Middle East, Afghanistan, The position enables the Haiti, Colombia, Sri Lanka, development of curricula Liberia and the Basque Country. for programmes at Glencree While it is not possible to import through innovative approaches solutions from the outside, to recording and documenting Glencree’s experience has peacebuilding within our proved to be valuable in terms context, and of course of sharing practical lessons materials, establishing learned in effective responses learning methodologies to violent conflict.

14 15 PO Box 2000 Belfast BT4 1WD PO Box 2000 Dublin Ireland www.internationalfundforireland.com