Resolving community relations problems in Northern Ireland: an intra-community approach

Abstract

The approach of Government to resolving the Northern Ireland conflict has been twin-track. At the macro political level the focus has been on finding a settlement to the constitutional imbroglio. At the micro level efforts have concentrated on improving relations between the Protestant and Catholic communities. Since the mid-1980s community relations has been a policy priority with the promotion of cross-community contact high on the agenda. Despite considerable political progress, however, there is evidence to suggest that contact initiatives may have limited success and that Northern Ireland remains a deeply segregated and polarised society. In acknowledgement of this, community relations practice has shifted in emphasis towards work at an intra-community level where the aim is to build confidence and mutual understanding within what practitioners have termed “single identity” communities. This paper considers the contribution of intra-community work to improving community relations in Northern Ireland. On the basis of empirical evidence, including four case studies, it argues that whilst the approach has much to commend it, “single identity” work may also have the potential to exacerbate hostility and conflict by creating “educated bigots.”

Citation

Hughes, J. (2002), "Resolving community relations problems in Northern Ireland: an intra-community approach", Coy, P.G. (Ed.) Consensus Decision Making, Northern Ireland and Indigenous Movements (Research in Social Movements, Conflicts and Change, Vol. 24), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 257-282. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0163-786X(03)80027-7