Web Extra! Resources on the Northern Ireland Conflict

By Christopher Murphy

This is a Web Extra! for the January/February 2007 issue of International Educator.

It complements the article: "A Laboratory of Conflict and Peace."

Below is a selection of organizations that produce programs, direct research, educate, and provide information on the history of the Northern Ireland conflict as well as on the peace initiatives and cross-border efforts currently underway. Several of these organizations have a specific interest in education-related initiatives.

ARK Northern Ireland—Social & Political Archive

A joint resource between the two Northern Ireland universities, ARK (the Northern Ireland Social and Political Archive) was established in 2000. ARK has a single goal: to make social science information on Northern Ireland available to the widest possible audience.

The Bogside Artists’ Studio

A group of three artists from an area of Derry, Tom Kelly, William Kelly, and Kevin Hanson are responsible for the creation of a set of murals in the area near Free Derry Corner that commemorate a number of key events in the civil rights struggle in that city since 1968. The artists occasionally tour and lecture about their work and the current situation in Derry.

CAIN Web Service

The CAIN Web Service (Conflict Archive on the INternet) site contains information and source material on the Troubles and politics in Northern Ireland from 1968 to the present. There is also information on Northern Ireland society. New material is added regularly and there are frequent updates.

Centre for Cross Border Studies

The Centre for Cross Border Studies, founded in September 1999 and based in Armagh (Northern Ireland) and Dublin (Republic of Ireland), researches and develops cooperation across the Irish border in education, training, health, business, public administration, communications, agriculture, and the environment, and acts as secretariat for a number of cross-border educational organizations. It is also developing a unique cross-border information system called Border Ireland (http://www.borderireland.info/index.php).

INCORE (INternational COnflict REsearch)

Established in 1993, INCORE is a joint project of the United Nations University and the University of Ulster. Combining research, education, and comparative analysis, INCORE addresses the causes and consequences of conflict in Northern Ireland and internationally and promotes conflict resolution management strategies. It aims to influence policymakers and practitioners involved in peace, conflict, and reconciliation issues while enhancing the nature of international conflict research.

Institute for Conflict Research

The Institute for Conflict Research is an independent research organization that specializes in working on issues related to conflict, social transformation, and social justice.

Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education

Established in 1987, NICIE is a voluntary organization that was set up to develop, support, and promote integrated education in Northern Ireland. The underpinning principle of integrated education is that by bringing Catholic, Protestant, and children of other faiths, and none, together in a shared learning environment, they can learn to understand, respect, and accept their differences.

Peace and Reconciliation Group

The Peace and Reconciliation Group (PRG) was set up over 25 years ago to address practical ways to work toward understanding and reconciliation in the context of the conflict in Northern Ireland. Throughout its history, PRG has used a variety of diverse programs to allow people to build bridges between communities that have been polarized by the historical and political events that have occurred in Northern Ireland. PRG is based in Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

Standing Conference on Teacher Education North and South (SCoTENS)

The Standing Conference on Teacher Education North and South was set up in 2003 to bring together colleges of education, university education departments, and other teacher education agencies in both jurisdictions. Research and conference projects have covered areas like special educational needs; citizenship education; linguistic and intercultural education; initial teacher education; and social, scientific, and environmental education.

Universities Ireland

The nine universities on the island of Ireland have established Universities Ireland, a new ‘umbrella’ body to promote cooperation and collaboration among universities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and to enhance their reputations internationally. Links to the home sites of all nine universities are available from this location.