Supporting Minorities in the Border Region

13 November 2006

With funding from the European Union’s Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, one project promoted by Cavan family Resource Centre is working to engage local representatives of the Protestant minority and of former political prisoners in discussions and activities targeted at peace building in the border region.

A survey carried out for the Supporting Minorities in the Border Region project helped identify the needs expressed by both groups. An Advisory Panel which includes representatives from all sections of the community meets for discussion regularly as part of the project.

Martin Kenny, who runs a Co Leitrim former political prisoners’ support project, is a Panel member. “The Advisory Panel has discussed preparing a model for peace building and we’ve come a fair way in breaking down people’s preconceptions. It’s important to be real about peace building. We’ve not yet reached a level where the group can talk openly about the conflict, but the potential to reach this goal is there because people are meeting,” Martin commented.

To help meet the needs expressed by the communities, Cavan Family Resource Centre has organised a range of training and personal development courses and services, including mediation training and trauma awareness, and workshops focusing on the contribution of Protestants to society, conflict resolution and inter-faith groups. Florence Taylor, a retired Presbyterian Minister in the Bailieborough area, confirms that, “a great deal of work had been done through the project in my area. Gradually Protestant individuals are voicing their opinions on local matters at meetings. Plus, there are a number of combined cultural activities taking place. For example, our church is part of a cross-community committee organising a big concert to celebrate 350 years of Presbyterianism in Bailieborough - one of the first congregations in Ireland.”

Eileen Brady, Project Coordinator, says of the project’s achievements: “We recognise that peace building is, by its nature, slow work. We are heartened by experiencing the effect created when people from differing political and religious backgrounds engage in honest dialogue. When this distils down to grass roots - and it is happening, albeit slowly - we can have vibrant communities, where diversity is accepted as the norm, and collaboration and friendship are a way of life.”

For further information contact: Eileen Brady, Tel: 00 353 (0) 49 4372 999