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The Legacy of Conflict: Young People and Peace-Building in Northern Ireland


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1 University of Winchester, United Kingdom
     

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This paper explores the role of young people in the peace-building process in Northern Ireland after 30 years of segregation, hatred, and bloody sectarian conflicts. Before the advent of the 'Peace Process' in 1998, young people were central to the conflict as rioters, combatants, members of the various paramilitary organizations, or as victims of sectarianism. Today this is still the case, as the segregation, distrust, and hatred still permeates the divided lower class and disadvantaged communities. While the violence is of a low intensity nature compared to the height of the conflict, there is an increasing frustration among young people concerning the slow pace of political development and the denial of peace dividends. The heightened sense of alienation among many young people in Northern Ireland increases the propensity to return to conflict and violence through paramilitary involvement to address such frustrations and grievances. Young people, while being central to the violence and conflict, now must be given a voice in building the peace. This paper therefore explores the role of young people in the peace-building process to date, as well as examines lessons learned for those communities and societies emerging from violent conflict; in this aspect the paper highlights the work of Youth Action Northern Ireland (YANI) and especially their initiative. 'The Patience of Peace in a Runaway World.' While this paper is an initial overview of the context surrounding the situation of young people during the conflict and their desire to be part of the peace-building process, it is the foundation for further intense empirical research into the role of young people in building and sustaining peace in Northern Ireland.

Keywords

Young People and Violence, Communal Conflict, Alienation, Sectarianism, Peace-Building.
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  • The Legacy of Conflict: Young People and Peace-Building in Northern Ireland

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Authors

Alan Grattan
University of Winchester, United Kingdom

Abstract


This paper explores the role of young people in the peace-building process in Northern Ireland after 30 years of segregation, hatred, and bloody sectarian conflicts. Before the advent of the 'Peace Process' in 1998, young people were central to the conflict as rioters, combatants, members of the various paramilitary organizations, or as victims of sectarianism. Today this is still the case, as the segregation, distrust, and hatred still permeates the divided lower class and disadvantaged communities. While the violence is of a low intensity nature compared to the height of the conflict, there is an increasing frustration among young people concerning the slow pace of political development and the denial of peace dividends. The heightened sense of alienation among many young people in Northern Ireland increases the propensity to return to conflict and violence through paramilitary involvement to address such frustrations and grievances. Young people, while being central to the violence and conflict, now must be given a voice in building the peace. This paper therefore explores the role of young people in the peace-building process to date, as well as examines lessons learned for those communities and societies emerging from violent conflict; in this aspect the paper highlights the work of Youth Action Northern Ireland (YANI) and especially their initiative. 'The Patience of Peace in a Runaway World.' While this paper is an initial overview of the context surrounding the situation of young people during the conflict and their desire to be part of the peace-building process, it is the foundation for further intense empirical research into the role of young people in building and sustaining peace in Northern Ireland.

Keywords


Young People and Violence, Communal Conflict, Alienation, Sectarianism, Peace-Building.

References