"Good Relations" in Northern Ireland

As part of the Northern Ireland Act of 1998, a duty was created to actively promote “good relations.”  This duty was spelled out in Section 75.  It states:

“The second duty, the Good Relations duty, requires that public authorities in carrying out their functions relating to Northern Ireland have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different religious belief, political opinion and racial group.”

This good relations duty has provided a responsibility for and funding to city councils all over Northern Ireland to develop plans, strategies, and programs that deliver education and training on good relations to all populations. 

 

A big part of what the Peace and Reconciliation Group (PRG) is involved in at this time is developing and delivering a variety of good relations programs, which are funded primarily by the Community Relations Council (CRC) and related city councils (also funded by the CRC).  This includes the Derry City Council and the Belfast City Council (just to name a few).

In addition to delivering programs, PRG is also required to publish a report after each program showing funders what was done, why it was done, and what the results of the training was on the population who received it.  As part of my work, I helped proof and edit several of these reports.  For instance, one of the programs that PRG designed and has delivered a number of times now is called “Let’s Talk Politics.”  This program brings Northern Ireland youth ages 16 to 18 from all traditions together with politicians (city councils, Northern Ireland Assembly, and Westminster) to meet and talk about some of the country’s most important issues. 

Unfortunately, due to timing, I was unable to observe or participate in any of these talks.  But I did get to help proof and edit the report for the program that was delivered in Derry earlier this year.  And I was helping with the Belfast report when I had to come home.