Background
to the Research
- Existing
research suggests that over a third of children and young people in
NI have experienced threats due to their community background. Engaging
with young people has been seen as one way of improving community
relations and creating a 'culture of tolerance' for the future.
- This
report presents the findings from the 'Voices Behind the Statistics'
project, which was designed to complement the 2003 YLT survey, and
which aimed to facilitate an environment for young people to openly
discuss the impact of the past and their visions for the future.
Research
Approach
- The
project involved 194 16 and 17 year olds from 11 post-primary schools
in four areas of NI. Talkshops were used; the material for discussion
was based on the results of the 2003 YLT survey.
- Three
phases were involved. In the first phase, three schools from each
of the four areas in NI were invited to take part in the project.
In the second phase, student representatives from all three schools
in two of the areas met in 'Combined Talkshops', to discuss their
views and experiences. In the third phase six students, who had taken
part in the first two phases, met with the researchers to help analyse
the data and identify main findings.
- The
project aimed to highlight to what extent the young people's views
and attitudes towards community relations and sectarianism differ
depending on their different backgrounds.
Main
Findings
- The
majority of respondents felt that it was important to know one's identity.
National and religious identities were the most controversial issue
discussed.
- The
issue of a united Ireland caused intense discussion, both within and
between groups of young people with the same socio-religious backgrounds.
Only a minority felt that being 'Northern Irish' would solve the divide
in national identity.
- Family,
peer groups, school and the media were acknowledged as the key agents
of socialisation, and as having the biggest impact on the formation
of attitudes towards others. Many participants were critical of the
negative impact that parents/other adults had on their formation of
attitudes towards other groups.
- The
majority felt that schools should be integrated (although not forced),
to allow young people to mix from an early age.
- Culture
and heritage were believed to exert a strong impact on attitudes to
community relations and sectarianism. Events such as the 12th July
and St. Patrick's day were of symbolic importance for the majority
of participants when they defined their national or religious identity.
Territorialism, boundaries and markers of identity were closely related
to these events.
- Much
debate arose over the issue of flying of flags, with young people
from neither community conceding to the argument of the other.
- Sport
was discussed both as a way of segregating and integrating young people.
- The
role played by politicians and political parties in NI was strongly
criticised, with politics being the second most frequently cited reason
given for wanting to leave the country.
- Institutional
reforms following the Good Friday Agreement, in particular the reform
of the police force, were passionately discussed. Catholics were more
likely to say this reform had not gone far enough, while Protestants
were more likely to argue that the reforms had gone too far. There
were also differences of views within socio-religious groups.
- The
issue of paramilitaries was often the first thing thought of in relation
to NI community relations. The 'influence and say of paramilitaries'
was the most cited reason for wanting to leave NI. The majority of
participants agreed that paramilitaries were too influential, which
was detrimental for the Peace Process.
- Very
little evidence was found in Talkshops of a significant urban-rural
divide, with regard to sectarianism and community relations.
- In
terms of improving cross-community relations, some young people were
pessimistic. However, most reported having informal contact with young
people from community backgrounds different to their own.
- The
ability to compromise was highlighted as essential, although the 'Compromise
Exercise' revealed that young people would find this difficult.
- Changes
needed to improve community relations were identified. These included
more formally integrated schools and more informal mixing between
schools, more cross-community contact schemes, better facilities and
activates (non-sectarian), the banning of territorial markers, help
for people to accept compromise, and the involvement of young people
in interactive and participatory Talkshops.
Conclusions
- Feedback
suggests the project was a positive learning experience for the majority
of participants.
- Talkshops
appear to have the potential to at least start to generate change
and new thinking about community relations. Actively engaging with
young people, and openly discussing sensitive and controversial issues,
rather than avoiding them, has to be seen as a way forward in addressing
community relations and sectarianism in NI.
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