1. Northern Ireland After
the Belfast Agreement:
A Contemporary
Context Assessment
By Ina G. Wanca, Franziska Praxl and
Stephen Cucharo
2. Introduction
How did we get here?
Where do we go moving
forward?
Why doesn’t peace stick in
Northern Ireland?
How did we get here?
Where do we go moving
forward?
3. Hypothesis
We posit that the youth in Northern Ireland is a
significant, yet underutilized capacity for peace. If this
untapped capacity is mobilized through educational
initiatives, we can better stem the resurgence of violence
and prevent the recurrence of the Troubles and possibly put
Northern Ireland on a better path for a renewed peace.
4. Literature Review
Youth mobilization as a capacity for peace needs investment
and development
Structural issues such as segregation and economic
inequalities need to be addressed, and remain part of the root
of the problem in Northern Ireland
Despite public consensus educational initiatives haven’t
received enough attention
The relationship between the youth population and the
Government of Northern Ireland has deteriorated
5. BELFAST AGREEMENT
Rights, Safeguards and Equality of
Opportunity
12. “The participants particularly recognize that Young people from
areas affected by the troubles face particular difficulties and will
support the development of special community-based initiatives..
…”[This] will require the allocation of sufficient resources”
13. “An essential aspect of the reconciliation process is the promotion
of a culture of tolerance at every level of society, including initiatives
to facilitate and encourage integrated education”…
9. CONTEXT DYNAMICS
SOCIO-POLITICAL
•Outlet for youth
grievances
nonexistent
INSTITUTIONAL
PERFORMANCE
•Youth skeptical of
Government, Security
Sector and CSOs
ECONOMIC
•Economic stagnation
makes youth
vulnerable
•Segregation inhibits
shared narrative
•Hostility between
communities is
omnipresent
•Aspects of the Belfast
Agreement remain
unimplemented
•Cross-communal
tensions impacted by
economics
SECURITY
•Security forces are
perceived as
illegitimate and
ineffective
•Paramilitary violence
commonplace
•Security measures
inhibit peacebuilding
efforts
10. STATUS QUO
FRAGILITY
THE ROOT CAUSES OF CONFLICT REMAIN
VIOLENT OUTBREAKS COUNTINUE
GRIEVANCES DEEPEN
11. POSITIVE CHANGE
TRUST BETWEEN CITIZENS AND STATE REBUILT
VIOLENT OUTBREAKS ARE ELIMINATED
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
PARAMILITARIES MEMBERSHIP DECRESEAD
PROLIFERATION OF OPPORTUNITIES TO CHANEL GRIEVANCES
12. Review of Current Polices and Practices
Expected €1.1 billion
US
US $532
million
2011/
2012 £10.5 bn
EU
$532
million
14. CURRENT PRACTICES AND POLICIES
GAPS AND IMPROVEMENTS
Despite the overwhelming approval of the population, integration on
the primary and secondary educational level hovers around 5-6%
Cross-communal dialogue has been initiated on the university
level, but doesn’t approach students whose opinions are subject to
change
Peace education was not implemented
Issues with the use of EU funds for youth initiatives
Non-holistic approach is taken
15. RECOMMENDATIONS
TO THE GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN
IRELAND
Request policy in line with public consensus
Begin slow integration of schools
Enable schools to fulfill their mandate
Incorporate peace education into curricula. Invest in new and
innovative curricula
16. RECOMMENDATIONS
TO THE GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN IRELAND
Programs must first and foremost foster in-group communication
Extra curricular programs that are including youth from both
communities
Arts and sports can be used as a combining activity to work on
the shared interests as a starting point for a conversation
Trained in conflict resolution teachers or mediators provide
guidance of these extra curricular activities
17. RECOMMENDATIONS
TO THE SECURITY APPARATUS
Rebuilding trust and communication between youth and the
security apparatus by encouraging visits to schools
Training in youth sensitive approaches to law enforcement are
essential
18. RECOMMENDATIONS
TO THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
Coordination of funding resources and enhanced monitoring system
Accountability of the Government of Northern Ireland by explicit
working reports
The EU and the international community exercise pressure over the
Government of Northern Ireland for transparency and targeted
implementation
19. CONCLUSION
15 years have passed since the ratification of the Belfast
Agreement
The youth has inherited the conflict and the dynamics
that have characterized Northern Irish society for
generations
Young people have the greatest capacity to transform
the conflict
Our recommendations should be considered as a step
towards building sustainable peace
20. THANK YOU!
Ina G. Wanca
iw359@nyu.edu
Franziska Praxl
fp588@nyu.edu
Steve Cucharo
sc4010@nyu.edu
