PRESS RELEASE Date: Friday 10th May

WOMEN – CHAMPIONS OF PEACE BUILDING – LEARNING FROM THE PAST, LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

'Full, inclusive participation of women is essential at every level of public life to ensure ongoing peace and reconciliation’ - that was the message today at the second REPRESENT Women’s Ambassadors Forum, hosted by Irish Rural Link, where more than one hundred participants of the Next Chapter project and invited guests gathered to hear the stories of some of the women who helped build peace, as well as those who are building for the future.

REPRESENT was organised by Irish Rural Link, together with partners Politics Plus and Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA), as part of The Next Chapter’s civic empowerment project building positive relations between women from different communities and backgrounds in Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland. It is funded through the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body. Match-funding for The Next Chapter project is provided by the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland.

This event, which is the second Women’s Ambassador Forum, heard from former Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Liz O’Donnell, and founder member of the Women’s Coalition and Deputy Speaker of the NI Assembly, Jane Morrice and Bronagh Hinds, Senior Associate at DemocraShe and UN expert on women’s engagement in peace processes, who spoke about the challenges they faced during the peace process and their determination to ensure that the voice of women was heard. The forum also heard from four participants of the Next Chapter, who have already used the skills they have learned through the training programme to step forward and become more involved in community and public life.

With more than 300 participants in ten Chapter Hubs across Northern Ireland and the border counties, the Next Chapter provides a network and training for women to develop ideas, build communities and support the transition out of conflict. Participants have already

completed modules ‘Women as Champions of Peacebuilding’ and ‘Decision Making, Politics & Public Life’, and are currently working on ’Developing a Powerful Voice’ and ‘Communicating with Impact’.

The forum was opened by Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys TD, who said: “It is my great pleasure to open the REPRESENT Women’s Ambassador Forum on the theme of ‘Women: Champions of Peace Building – The Past and The Future’ marking the 21st anniversary of the , which opened a new chapter of peace in Northern Ireland. One element of the peace process, and one that is of keen interest to peace-builders internationally, is the crucial role that women have played throughout successive years of negotiations. When women are meaningfully involved in peace negotiations, it is acknowledged that there is a far more significant chance of a longer-lasting and more inclusive peace.

Our Government is a key supporter of this principle, and we will always work faithfully to support the protection and full realisation of the achievements of peace for everyone. As we move ahead with today’s phase of the peace process with a new generation of leaders in politics and in our communities, everyone involved needs to re-commit to the principles at the core of the Agreement—equality, mutual respect, partnership, tolerance, and trust.”

Welcoming delegates, Sinead Dooley, Deputy CEO Irish Rural Link said: “The role women have in peace building and reconciliation cannot be underestimated, and has been recognised in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. Today, we heard from three women who came forward at a very difficult political time, and ensured that the voice of women was heard in the peace process. They know how important it is for women to be at the fore and how the full, inclusive participation of women is essential at every level of public life to ensure ongoing peace and reconciliation.

Thanks to funding from the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body and match-funding provided by the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland for The Next Chapter project, Irish Rural Link, together with partners Politics Plus and

NICVA, are currently delivering this opportunity at grass roots level, to 300 women of all ages and backgrounds.”

Speaking at the event, Joanne Jennings, Head of Programmes at Politics Plus, said: “More than two decades after the Good Friday / Agreement we are still seeing an insufficient representation of women in peace negotiations and in engagement in community reconciliation. To create a lasting legacy we need to make sure that women’s voices are heard. Whatever your background or passion, from aspiring public representatives to environmental activists, from charity campaigners to community organisers, we want even more women to get involved. It is important to make change happen and to make that a success full, inclusive participation of women, as part of a wider representation of all voices in the community, is essential at every level, from your local community group right through to the seats of government.”

Highlighting the significance of the project Gina McIntyre, CEO of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), said: “Women have historically played a vital role in peacebuilding and this has helped to maintain order, reduce violence and keep families together. The Next Chapter project will support and encourage more women to become actively involved in this vital work, which will help to create a truly equal society in which women are empowered and afforded the opportunities to take up leadership positions within their own communities.”

More information on The Next Chapter can be found at www.thenextchapter.eu

- ENDS

Notes to Editor For further information on this press release contact Liz Beaton, Politics Plus 07786 437991 Notes 1. Politics Plus was established in 2013. It aims to create a positive future for politics by encouraging engagement between elected representatives and public officials at all levels of government; strengthening the role of women in political and public life; and delivering international development and exchange programmes for elected

representatives and public officials in states affected by conflict and instability. 2. The Next Chapter will contribute to the Special EU Programmes Body’s overarching programme output of regional level projects that result in meaningful, purposeful and sustained contact between persons from different communities. 3. For more information on the work of The Next Chapter, please visit www.thenextchapter.eu and for more information on the work of Politics Plus, please visit www.politicsplus.com

4. The Special EU Programmes Body is a North/South Implementation Body sponsored by the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in Ireland. 5. It is responsible for managing two EU Structural Funds Programmes, PEACE IV and INTERREG VA which are designed to enhance cross-border co-operation, promote reconciliation and create a more peaceful and prosperous society. 6. The Programmes operate within a clearly defined area including Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and in the case of INTERREG VA, Western Scotland. 7. The PEACE IV Programme has a value of €270 million and aims to address the economic and social problems which result from the existence of borders. 8. For more information on the SEUPB please visit www.seupb.eu