Civic Conversation: dealing with the past  

10 September 2014

Members of the public are being invited to participate in a ‘Civic Conversation’ event taking place between 2-5pm on 17 September 2014 in the Great Hall at Queen’s.

Among the topics up for discussion are parading, dealing with the past and shared education. The event is part of discussions on a shared future in Northern Ireland which is being led by the Stormont Executive. It has established a consultation into sectarianism, social division and community relations, with a deadline of 26 September 2014 for individual submissions from members of the public.

Officially known as the Inquiry Into Building a United Community, the process is being chaired by Mike Nesbitt MLA.

To encourage submissions and support debate on these matters, the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation and Social Justice (ISCTSJ) at Queen’s is hosting a ‘Civic Conversation’ on 17 September, featuring talks by academics and civic leaders along five key themes: parading; shared education; shared space; dealing with the past; and dealing with emotions.

The event is free and open to all with refreshments provided. No pre-registration is required. It is hoped that the workshop will be the first of many such Civic Conversations at Queen’s during 2014-2015.

Professor of Post Conflict Studies at Queen’s, John Brewer said: “The issue of how we in Northern Ireland learn to live together is vitally important and is key to establishing and consolidating the peace process. The Inquiry into Building a United Community is designed to hear people’s views on how this can be achieved. The Queen’s workshop will hopefully feed into the consultation and encourage people to submit comments to the Inquiry.”

Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tony Gallagher added: “Queen’s University is committed to civic engagement, and the programme of Civic Conversations is one small way of cementing links with local civil society. In particular Queen’s has an array of expertise that is relevant to the Inquiry and to assisting Northern Ireland to become reconciled to the past.”

Confirmed speakers for the 17 September event so far include Professor John Brewer (Queen’s); Dr Dominic Bryan (Queen’s); Professor Roddy Cowie (Queen’s); Professor Tony Gallagher (Queen’s); Sylvia Gordon (Groundwork NI); Professor Joanne Hughes (Queen’s); Rev Brian Kennaway (author: The Orange Order: A Tradition Betrayed); Rev Dr Gary Mason (East Belfast Methodist Mission); Alan McBride (WAVE Trauma Centre); Dr Ken Sterrett (Queen’s); Professor Kieran McEvoy (Queen’s); and Noreen Campbell (Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education).

For further information, contact Una Bradley on 9097 5320 (Mon-Wed) or Michelle Cassidy on 9097 5310 (Thurs-Fri) at Queen’s Communications Office or email comms.officer@qub.ac.uk

 

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