THE HUMAN FACE OF CONFLICT (Delivery 8)

There was unanimous consensus yet again that the latest delivery of epilogues hit both GMT’s and participants’ objectives. And it did the heart good. This delivery took place in residential formate over two weekends in the Armagh Arms Hotel, Ballymena concluding on 18th June. A big thanks on behalf of one and all to the staff there who looked after our every need and made our stay so comfortable. A big thanks also to Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and the Irish government’s Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund without whose support this delivery to women’s groups across Northern Ireland could not be possible.

Some comments from participants (see Perspectives for video feedback):

• “I came in very nervous full of anxiety and the second weekend I felt like a different girl”
• “It has been very interesting, educational and informative. At times my knowledge may have been limited about certain incidents that happened in the past, the videos really helped to set the context of that time, showing all viewpoints – very enlightening”
• “I think there is still very much a culture of “our side suffered worse than your side” that I had not expected in community leaders and workers.”
• “I am now going away with a lot more experience and with my eyes opened to what is actually going on.”
• “[I’ve noticed I’m] holding back to listen, not jumping in/interrupting as much… taking people as they come despite different viewpoints”
• “I have taken more interest from completing the course in the history of the troubles”

This cohort of graduates are now scheduled to join with the previous three cohorts of graduates on 19th September to assess what if any have been the long-term impacts of having completed the epilogues programme, to widen and deepen the connections already forged by their participation and to explore possible next steps for each participants as active citizens, be that on an individual or a collective basis going forward.