Background to the Research

• In order that BIP could better understand the needs of young people living in interface areas, a working group of youth workers and others was established to carry out research with groups of young people.
  

Research Approach

• Interviews were held with young people, some of whom had been involved in violence in interface in areas of Belfast. In all, 10 youth groups located in North, South, West and East Belfast comprising between 5-12 young people were interviewed.
• Subsequently, the youth workers and others held a discussion about the social and political background of the interface issues raised by the young people.
  

Main Findings

• Whilst the young people interviewed could identify with the religious and political aspirations of their community, their peer group identity was often characterised by being at odds with that community. Young people reported feeling alienated from the police and the paramilitaries, this was the case among both Protestant and Catholic youths.
• The lives of young people were restricted by the 'barriers' associated with the interface. These barriers ranged from physical ones such as peace-lines to psychological ones such as fear of 'no-go-areas' etc and these factors inhibited young people's access to shops, transport, sporting and other social facilities.
• The summer time is associated with the marching seasons and a rise in inter-community tension. Yet the closure of schools, and many youth services during the summer months is accompanied by a marked lack of provision to fill this gap leaves teenagers with little to occupy their time and many of the young people surveyed reported being bored.
• At times, young people travelled to interface areas from other communities, in order to engage in inter-community violence. These exchanges have their own rituals and traditions.

Recommendations

• The interviews demonstrated that more in-depth research regarding issues of equality of access to facilities and the adequacy/improvement of youth provision for those living in interface areas is needed.
• Tension could be reduced further if young people are encouraged to become part of the process.
• Parents need to be encouraged to take a more pro-active part in meeting the needs of children and young people. The experiences and views of young people themselves must be listened to and form a central part of any future provision involving young people.
• Young people who took part in the research appeared to be curious about those on the 'other side' of the interface and were prepared to engage in dialogue with them. Consideration should be given to a series of small-scale encounters across the interface. A prerequisite to this would be intra-community dialogue, where young people could explore their own sense of cultural and political identity.