Peace and Reconciliation Group (PRG)
The original intentions of the organisation were to build bridges between the religious and cultural communities in Northern Ireland that had been polarised by the events of the previous ten years and by the institutionalised segregated society. Today, over thirty years later, those original aims remain intact, but a major strand of our work now involves getting people to talk to one another. This may happen in the form of structured workshops or training programmes, specifically designed projects, mediation sessions, or in a more private way, as our organisation is known as an unbiased, impartial group that provides a neutral space for people to meet or seek refuge if necessary. In addition to the structured work we engage in, the PRG is also involved in assisting community organisations and the Police Services of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to find ways to manage and mediate contentious situations that arise in connection with parades, bonfires, football matches, elections and other events.
PRG staff is regularly asked to facilitate meetings, deliver workshops, contribute to public debates and publications, host visits from overseas and participate in other events. In addition to our work here in Northern Ireland, PRG staff has worked on reconciliation and community relation projects in Africa, the Middle East, and Belgium, and the Director, Michael Doherty, has published several books on facilitation skills for community relations activists. All of the above has enhanced and contributed to our organisation, to the skills and knowledge of the staff, and to the ability to view issues from different perspectives.
Annually our work brings us into direct contact with approximately 2000 people, many of whom are either community leaders or entirely new to the field of community relations / good relations. There is no quick fix to our problems in Northern Ireland, and while great progress has been made since the first peace agreement was signed in 1998, great setbacks have also occurred, making the need for this type of work as valid as ever. Though often difficult, the rewards can be huge, with the overall goal being a peaceful, inclusive society for all.
Current Programme
Since 2001, the organisation has taken on a more proactive role that has seen the group develop three particular strands to its work: 1) Training 2) Projects and 3) Mediation Services, all of which are funded by the Community Relations Council, European Peace III, and independent contracts. We have five members of staff and one full-time volunteer.
Annually our work brings us into direct contact with approximately 2000 people, many of whom are either community leaders or entirely new to the field of community relations / good relations. There is no quick fix to our problems in Northern Ireland, and while great progress has been made since the first peace agreement was signed in 1998, great setbacks have also occurred, making the need for this type of work as valid as ever. Though often difficult, the rewards can be huge, with the overall goal being a peaceful, inclusive society for all.
Current Programme
Since 2001, the organisation has taken on a more proactive role that has seen the group develop three particular strands to its work: 1) Training 2) Projects and 3) Mediation Services, all of which are funded by the Community Relations Council, European Peace III, and independent contracts. We have five members of staff and one full-time volunteer.
Currently the Peace & Reconciliation Group delivers nine Open College Network accredited programmes, which include three mediation courses, two facilitation skills courses, one Exploring Diversity course, one Dealing With the Past, Shaping the Future facilitation skills course, and one Policing / Crime in the Community course.
Projects
Our projects include: Dealing with the Past, Shaping the Future; a Journey's Out project in conjunction with Glencree / Intercomme and Incore; A 'Heritage Trail' that involves eight schools, four from the North and four from the South in conjunction with Donegal Teachers Association; Coleraine Heights area for Coleraine Borough Council; Donegal Community; Shared Future Project with Derry City Council – Prejudice Face on / Face off; Inishowen Development Group; a Yearly Schools Let's Talk Politics; and our Interface Monitoring Forum, which is part of our mediation services.
Mediation Services
This is the area of our work that is mostly hidden as a protection for the people we work with. In this capacity we work behind the scenes at local parades in contentious areas, at community mediation in neighbourhood disputes, and at court based disputes with separating couples. We also mediate office disputes, traveller community and settled community disputes, and in the past, we have mediated disputes in some public authorities organisations.
Our Interface Monitoring Forum Project is split into two groups a) A Strategic Forum and b) An Operational Forum. This first group involves a partnership with the main statutory and voluntary agencies that have developed a protocol with their mission statement, aims and objectives, while the operational group is a more flexible group that involves only those community activists working directly at the interfaces in conjunction with the PSNI.