PeaceIV_Newsletter_Autumn2018_FINAL

Newsletter
Autumn 2018
Communities energised by
PEACE IV funded projects
It’s not every day that a first birthday is celebrated
with an offer of £0.5million but that’s pretty much
how the local PEACE IV programme marked its first
year of implementation. The additional funding from
the Special EU Programmes Body means there is
now £6.7million being invested into cross-community
reconciliation projects to benefit residents in our
council area.
“As Chair of the PEACE IV Board, it has been a pleasure
to hear about and visit so many of our projects,” says
Councillor Caoimhe McKnight. “Our communities across
the city and district are demonstrating a wealth of
enthusiasm, energy, creativity and positivity in the roll
out of the programme.”
In June 2018 over 50 people leading project delivery
met together to share experiences and learning. “It
was clear from our networking event that this money
is really beginning to impact positively for peace,” says
Catherine Cooke (Co-chair of the PEACE IV Board).
“This is an exciting phase. Delivery is in full swing and
there’s still so much more to come.”
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Patriarchy and Gender Justice.
Think you know? Think again.
“People think they know about
gender equality,” says Maureen
Hetherington, “but this project will
turn your world upside down. It
helps you make sense of how your
life has been shaped.” Attending
the June 2018 conference ‘Telling
ourselves stories – towards a
gender equal future’ I realise she
is not the only one who thinks
this. The room is packed with men
and women. There is laughter and
reflexion as the ‘Makey Uppers’
Drama group enacts scenes
around the role of women; but you
can hear a pin drop as Dr. Cathy
Higgins, Theologian and Academic
researcher, delivers a keynote
speech on the re-interpretation of
biblical stories.
I confess, my first engagement
with this project required a google
search – What is ‘Patriarchy’?
Amongst the flood of definitions
was that Patriarchy “refers to a
society in which men and women
participate… A society is patriarchal
to the degree that it promotes male
privilege by being male dominated,
male identified and male centred.”
(p.55 History Matters). The
speakers at the conference are
clear – this is not an ‘anti-men’
project; “Understand that men are
victims of this as well. Men have
to be seen in a particular way to fit
in a patriarchal society,” explains
Maureen. Nor is it a ‘storytelling’
project for women to share
experiences. This is a community
education project reaching
people from all backgrounds and
stimulating them to think differently
and it is led by a dynamic crosscommunity,
cross-border steering
group combining local community
activists and academic experts.
One of the elements of the PEACE
IV project is a cross-community
education course facilitated by Dr
Cathy Higgins and Dr Johnston
McMaster. The first cohort was
twice oversubscribed and included
topics such as the History of
Women’s struggle for equality in
Ireland; Patriarchy, Sectarianism
and Racism: ‘The Unholy Trinity’;
The Sex/Gender Myth; Religion,
Patriarchy and Violence; the
Economics of Patriarchy, Human
Rights and Strategising for
Peace . “There’s no going back,”
says participant feedback. “The
programme gave me a different lens
on the world and my own situation.”
As word spreads, the Autumn
2018 repeat of the programme is
filling fast. Women and men who
work in peace-building, trying to
affect change but often hitting the
proverbial ‘glass ceiling’ are making
the connections.
The Patriarchal world view
works with threats, dictating and
dominance - the course sets out
clearly the link with violence,
the ‘Troubles’, sectarianism and
patriarchy. There is also enthusiasm
for the project from the LGBTQ+
community, with the course
including the topic of gender
identity.
Many of the participants will in turn
roll out their learning within their
own communities – already there
are workshops in Letterkenny and
Galliagh. The project will produce
training materials and a book (to
be published by early 2019) to
support wider learning. ‘The book
is going to be ground-breaking,’
says Maureen, ‘The themes are
incredible.’
The ‘Liberation from Patriarchy for
Gender Justice’ PEACE IV project
is delivered by The Junction in
partnership with Foyle Women’s
Information Network.
.............................................................................
To register or for further information
contact mhetherington@
thejunction-ni.org
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Waterside Shared Village:
Cross-interface success
“The neighbour’s a taxi driver,” a
parent says, “and she’s been telling
everyone” - and sure we all know
if the taxi drivers are talking then
it must be significant. “It’s a huge
step forward,” adds a leader, “but
we were ready for it. Sometimes we
forget how far we’ve come.”
I’ve dropped into the final day of a
cross-community summer-scheme.
It’s one of our biggest PEACE
IV Shared Space projects. The
jumping, running, drumming, jigging
and laughing of over 150 ‘weans’ is
giving the park around Irish Street
community centre a real buzz
as they jostle to take part in the
Highland Games.
This isn’t just any summer scheme,
it’s possibly the first ever crossinterface
scheme of its kind in
Northern Ireland. For many of these
kids, though local, it’s their first
time in this community. It’s also the
build-up of a series of interventions
such as football and basketball
projects, after-schools clubs, an
older people’s project and a series
of community festivals. “If they’d
all take a leaf out of Irish Street and
Top of the Hill,” is apparently the
taxi driver’s mantra.
Odhrán (16), Mary-Louise (15) and
Rhiannon (15) are volunteering at
the project. ‘I feel like giving back
to the community,’ says Odhrán. “It
feels like we’re helping the younger
children get experience of different
cultures; making new friends from
other communities.” Their own
experiences as volunteers are also
part of the wider project -
“I’ve never been in here before. It
feels grand to be in a different
community.”
The sound of drumming is constant
- and no doubt the lambeg is
popular. “Bodhráns are made with
goat skin just like the lambeg,” I am
reliably informed by a 6 year old.
“Music connects,” says Alan, their
instructor.
Justifiably, the project organisers
are buzzing. “There’s no orange
and green up here. There’s no
segregation between the weans
here – they just get on with it.”
To the observer, the only colour
is about what juice you want and
what team you’re in.
The summer scheme rotated around
3 venues – The Hub, Irish Street
and the Whistle project. “That’s
the massive thing – it’s the first
time it’s ever been attempted. That
never would’ve happened years
ago. The kids just jump off the bus
with their bags and lunchboxes. So
oblivious. They don’t even realise
the significance of it but the parents
do.”
One mother cried happy tears
when her child received a birthday
card from a child from the ‘other’
community. I’m shown a photo of
the card with purple and pink
childrens’ writing. “When we met
at our summer scheme, I knew
we’d make a good team. I hope we
be best friends forever, no matter
the day, no matter the weather.”
“It’s not only about the kids,” adds
another parent. “I’ve made good
friends that I never would have
met.”
In the wider project, the Afterschools
club was a big success.
“See when you go up to the Hub
and there’s all the wee different
uniforms…” smiles a leader. Then
there’s the festivals series that the
communities have co-organised.
Nearly 1000 people have attended
them. The older people’s project,
which has cross-border links with
Inishowen will also re-start in
September after a successful first
term including a shared history
project. The Waterside Shared
Village project has certainly
delivered beyond expectations
since its cross-interface lantern
parade launch in December 2017.
Before leaving, I watch a 3 foot
Brooke concentrating as she’s
instructed in the art of tossing a 7
foot Caber. There is an art to the
grip, toss and flip. “What I want is
a cheer for everyone that throws,”
says the instructor. “Face forward,
give it as much energy as possible.”
The same message holds true for all
those working for peace.
The Waterside Shared Village
Project is delivered by the
Waterside Neighbourhood
Partnership in collaboration
with Irish Street Community
Association and Hillcrest Trust.
For further information contact:
rhonda-wnp@hotmail.co.uk.
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Young people – today’s leaders
Young people are the future. It’s a phrase you hear all
the time and there is a ring of truth in it, but the fact
is young people are also the present. They contribute.
They organise. They lead. That’s the approach taken
in projects under the PEACE IV Children and Young
People’s theme.
April 2018. Expression, a PEACE IV steering group of
young people aged 16-19 from the council area, gather
at the side of the stage in the Foyle Arena. Hundreds
are attending the Mayoral schools’ conference focusing
on the ‘5 steps to Wellbeing’ – dealing with stress and
building resilience. It has arisen from the Civic Forum
which works to address issues around Alcohol, Drugs,
Mental Health, Emotional Wellbeing, Suicide Prevention
and Homelessness. Expression has been a key part of
the planning and organising of the event. They take
to the stage and speak powerfully on a video they
have created; later staffing information stands and cofacilitating
interactive workshops with professionals.
Finding common ground on shared issues is a strong
aspect of the cross-community reconciliation work
within PEACE IV.
September 2018. Young people are beginning to hear
of the exciting opportunity to be part of the production
and delivery of ‘The People’s Catwalk,’ an amalgamation
of Fashion Fest 2019 and council’s Hallowe’en
Programme – and part of Youth 19. Beginning with the
chance to see behind the scenes at Fashion Fest 2018
on 13th October, youth from PEACE IV Steering groups
and young adults from the Fashion Textile Design Hub
and NW Regional College will work on a sustained
cross-community basis to design a unique event
using fashion to celebrate positive self-image, positive
approaches to mental health and diverse issues and
identities for the 2019 event.
Workshops will focus on three strands – Technical
(Lights, Production, Staging); Marketing (Social Media,
Press, Publicity) and, of course, Fashion (Hair, Makeup,
Clothing). Expect stunning design. Expect a high
quality event. Expect the unexpected.
For further information, or to get involved in the
‘People’s Catwalk’ project, contact Patrick.odoherty@
derrystrabane.com
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Creative Centenaries –
Exploring Our Past Together
“Ireland was changing rapidly. 1912-
22 was a decade that transformed
life on these islands, defined our
relationships and determined our
present. How it shapes our future is
up to us.” The words are powerful.
So is the exhibition.
At the Tower Museum by the
city walls, there is a steady
flow of visitors viewing
the Creative Centenaries
#MakingHistory1918Exhibition. It’s
part of a PEACE IV project in which
local people have worked with
the Nerve Centre and Council’s
Heritage and Museum Service to
explore issues in the decade of
centenaries. Museums in years gone
by were quiet, dusty places where
you wanted to sneeze but didn’t
dare. Thankfully, they’ve changed.
The ‘Zappar’ app and quick scan of
the code connects you to wartime
music as you read the panels.
Twitter symbols show what the
leaders and commentators of the
day were saying. ‘Breaking News’
gives you the key headlines.
A short animation at the entrance
creatively introduces the decade.
1918 was a year of civic action, the
end of war in Europe, women voting
for the first time and a
groundbreaking election result in
Ireland. There are more traditional
artefacts too. It is difficult not
to be moved by the four black,
leather-bound volumes at the heart
of the exhibition. They clasp the
‘Names of the Fallen’ gathered for
inscription on the Diamond War
Memorial and show correspondence
with their families. The page is
open at Private William Clements of
the 11th Battalion Royal Inniskilling
Fusiliers – Killed in Action on 1st
July 1916. He was from Ballyarnett.
You browse through five zones and
soak in life a century ago - women’s
fight for equality, the conscription
crisis, political upheavals, health
and well-being, technology
developments, post-war Irish
society. Mixed into the big themes
is the quirky detail – the ‘Please do
not spit in the carriages’ notice as
Spanish flu swept Ireland, leaving a
death toll of 20,000; the Fake News
of OXO cubes claiming protection
against the disease; the spiral
Suffragette board game where the
goal is Westminster. Free graphic
novels feature key characters from
the exhibition.
As you leave the exhibition, a
feedback wall #MakingTheFuture
poses the question ‘How will you
help create the next 100 years of
history on this island?’ The public
has engaged:
Embrace change and differences…
Keep telling the long and complex
versions of history… Give women
equality in political arenas… Smile
at everyone, even if they don’t
smile back… Listen… Respect…
The answers vary. You pose the
question to yourself and think.
To engage with this project:
The exhibition runs at the Tower
Museum until 31st March 2019.
Information/programme is on:
www.derrystrabane.com/Subsites/
Museums-and-Heritage/Tower-
Museum/Creative-Centenaries.
The community engagement
programme is featured on:
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=9fjU0VfQC7wBOOK A
FREE DIGITAL WORKSHOP.
For free related creative and digital
workshops for schools, youth and
community groups, contact the
Nerve Centre on 028 7126 0562 or
email info@creativecentenaries.org.
Page 5
Page 5

Community Collaboration
For Peace Tourism
“It’s the uniqueness of this place,” says Michael
Doherty. “It’s a city of peace. We need to be
promoting that.” He qualifies his remark. “It’s an
unsettled peace, a conflict transformed to be less
violent – but there is a hope here. Reconciliation in
this city has moved forward at a faster pace than
elsewhere. That’s the story. That’s what people will
come here to understand.”
That also happens to be the thinking behind
the PEACE IV project of which Michael is Chair.
Linzi Simpson, council’s ‘Peace Tourism’ project
officer, outlines the work. “Our steering group is
made up of representatives of museums, cultural
organisations, community tourism, reconciliation
workers, heritage sites and tour guides. We work
together across communities and identities. It’s an
early stage of the project – we’ve engaged in site
visits to Belfast and Dublin, animated the walls with
historical characters and are running an Autumn
conference.”
One of the key messages in this project is that it’s
aimed first at a local and regional audience.
“I hope locals get a broader understanding of what
actually happened here,” says Michael. “Do people
understand 1968? What brought people onto the
streets for civil rights and why there was resistance
to it? Do they know what caused the separation of
communities? What stories are missing that people
could tell? Was silence and denial part of keeping
conflict going?” To build peace in the city and
district, many individuals and organisations made
conscious decisions to engage in dialogue to reach
settlements. As Michael coins it, “We are a peace
area. There’s expertise here in what is possible as
well as honesty in where the tensions remain.”
The range of organisations already on board
with the project – The Museum of Free Derry,
The Siege Museum, Visit Derry, Fort Dunree, New
Gate Arts, Tourism NI, Londonderry Bands Forum,
Cultúrlann, Gasyard Centre, Ulster University,
International School for Peace Studies, Waterside
Neighbourhood Partnership,Ulster University
and the Hindu Association - shows the crosscommunity
collaboration in the project.
Visiting interface tours in Belfast and World War I
and Easter Rising sites in Dublin has helped
participants see the impact of peace tourism.
Kilmainham Gaol. Islandbridge. The Emigration
Centre. Locally, historical costumed characters
have strolled the walls over summer, spouting a
range of views on Siege and Plantation, interacting
with the public. The ‘Our Place, Our Voices’
conference will explore comparative international
practice; evidence and experience of challenges
in presenting difficult historical periods; Ethical
guidelines; and practicalities of delivering tourism
packages.
“There is so much history and culture sitting on our
doorstep that can be used to help understanding
– The Plantation, The World Wars, The Border, The
Troubles, The Peace Process, Cultural Heritage,
Local Diversity,” says Linzi. “If we can all work to
package this together and promote it there will be
a definite peace dividend.” Watch this space.
For further information on the project contact:
Linzi.simpson@derrystrabane.com.
Page 6

PEACE IV In Pictures
Beyond Tokenism Project (LDDG/FREF)
Beacon Project (YouthActionNI)
CultureFuse Project (An Gaeláras &NW Cultural Partnership)
‘One Community’ Project (DCSD Council)
Project Networking Day (PEACE IV Team)
‘Connecting Communities’ Project (BBI)
‘Don’t Shoot My Wane, Shoot Me!’ Project (GSAP)
Page 7

Are you taking part yet?
There is something for everyone in our Derry City and Strabane District Council PEACE IV Programme. Why not
get involved and support peace in person? Whether you’re into sport, history, culture, community education, bus
trips, conferences or workshops - projects cater for a wide range of ages and their geographical area spans our
entire district and cross-border region.
The easiest way to find out is to sign up for our monthly e-bulletins. You can also phone or email us – we’re happy
to help direct you to something that meets your interests. Also watch out for posters displayed by local groups to
show they’ve a project in your area.
“Be the change you want to see.” (Gandhi)
Want more information?
If you would like to receive regular e-newsletter updates please sign up on www.derrystrabane.com/
Peace-IV where there is also more detailed information on the programmes.
The PEACE IV Team can be contacted at:
Email: peace@derrystrabane.com
Tel: 028 71 253 253
A project supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
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