Northern Ireland Conflict Resolution Program: An Amazing Initiative and Opportunity
Written By Payton McPhee
Thumbnail Photo by Saint Mary’s University
This week, I had the honour of speaking with Bridget Brownlow. Bridget is a part-time instructor in the faculty of Political Science and Irish Studies, as well as an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Education at Saint Mary’s University. In addition, Bridget has been SMU’s Conflict Resolution Advisor for the past 18 years. Bridget is also the Senior Program Coordinator and founder of The Northern Ireland Conflict Resolution Program, which is an amazing initiative and opportunity for students at SMU. Bridget’s work with peace education (learning about the root causes of social injustice and conflict) and conflict resolution has been so influential that she was honoured as the recipient of the 2020 World Peace Tartan, an award that has been previously given to Malala Yousafzai and the Dalai Lama. Bridget’s award was in recognition of her work with the Northern Ireland Conflict Resolution Program which is facilitated by internal and external donors, the Saint Mary’s University Students’ Association (SMUSA), the Saint Mary’s University Faculty Union (SMUFU), and is in direct affiliation with Peaceful Schools International, which is a non-profit organization housed within Saint Mary’s University.
Bridget Brownlow; Photo by Saint Mary’s University
What Is The Northern Ireland Conflict Resolution Program?
Since 2005, The Northern Ireland Conflict Resolution Program has offered SMU students an incredible opportunity to travel to Belfast, Northern Ireland/North of Ireland to educate and promote awareness of peace education and conflict management skills to elementary school children through creative and impactful workshops.
Each year, there are typically between 15-20 SMU students participating in The Northern Ireland Conflict Resolution Program. Once accepted into the program (details below), students are trained in peace education and conflict resolution, and work together throughout the Fall semester to create and facilitate workshops to help accomplish their mission. Additionally, SMU students present their workshops to local elementary schools as an opportunity to give back to the local community, highlighting the importance and ethical obligation to ensure children are supported locally, as well as internationally. During the February Winter break, students travel to Northern Ireland to present their workshops to more than 20 elementary schools which engage between 3,000-4,000 elementary schoolchildren annually. Sadly, in 2021, students were unable to travel to Belfast because of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, they made sure to stay involved with peace education through various projects.
It is particularly important to highlight the financial supporters of this program. Some of these donors include The Charitable Irish Society of Halifax, SMUSA, and The Estate of Patrick Power. The Northern Ireland Conflict Resolution Program relies heavily on donors and fundraising throughout the year in order to allow any student to participate regardless of their financial situation. In short, it is a unique and accessible international program where students do not have to worry about paying for the major costs out of their own pockets. The only cost that students are responsible to pay for is their own personal spending money.
Also relevant to the success of this program is the fact that over the past several years, Bridget Brownlow has developed an active, engaging, and successful partnership with faculty and students at Yale University. This partnership facilitated a new program involving training and education in conflict resolution for ex-combatants in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry. This training has been successfully facilitated by Bridget and her colleague, Dr. Bonnie Weir, at Yale and continues to be offered virtually.
Throughout its 16 years, the results of this program have been nothing short of a resounding success. This program offers SMU students a remarkable opportunity for experiential learning, and a chance to educate young children on the importance of peace. These lessons are important for everyone to learn, but they are especially important for children who are living in a fragile post-conflict society such as in the North of Ireland/Northern Ireland.
Why Does This Program Travel To Northern Ireland?
In April 1998, the Good Friday Agreement was signed between the British government, the Irish government, and most political parties in Northern Ireland to agree on how Northern Ireland should be governed. This agreement aimed to mitigate the conflict that had been present in the past by developing a government where the two political parties would share power. However, this agreement is currently under threat. Sectarian and political conflict has long been a part of Irish history, most prominently in the North. Sectarian conflict involves prejudice, discrimination or hatred that arises from feelings of superiority of one’s political or religious beliefs compared to others. This conflict can be understood by the creation of the Northern Irish State which remains under the control of the British Government. Some citizens of Northern Ireland are content with this and others wish to rejoin The Republic of Ireland and leave the British reign.
Months of violent and sectarian attacks on young pupils attending Holy Cross Girls Primary School in 2003 prompted SMU to partner with Peaceful Schools International to support the children, teachers, and community of North Belfast. Since those initial attacks, SMU has continued to partner with Holy Cross Girls Primary School today as well as many other Protestant and Catholic elementary schools.
Why Is It Important Today?
Today, the people of the North of Ireland/Northern Ireland are still struggling with countless issues related to their legacy of four decades of civil war which was referred to as “The Troubles”. Although The Troubles are technically in the past, there are still instances of sectarian and political conflict that occur today. Here are just several attacks that have occurred within the last few months in Northern Ireland:
In October 2020, three schoolgirls were injured on their way to school when a man smashed the windows of the school bus in a sectarian motivated attack.
On March 1, 2021, an 11-year-old boy was kicked in the face while walking home from school as a form of a sectarian attack.
On March 23, 2021, students in Northern Ireland returned to in-person schooling for the first time since the outbreak of COVID-19, only to be greeted by intimidating and threatening flags, graffiti, and slogans.
On April 8, 2021, riots ensued in Northern Ireland which involved rioters burning vehicles and throwing masonry and petrol bombs at police. Nineteen officers were injured that night and a total of 74 officers were injured within that week alone due to the violence.
These issues are far from being resolved, and nothing can change if people are complacent. Taking action is what will cause change and that is what needs to be done to help make the world a peaceful place. The Northern Ireland Conflict Resolution Program is an initiative defined by taking action.
Photo by Saint Mary’s University
Who Can Get Involved With The Program?
Any SMU student is eligible to apply for The Northern Ireland Peace Education Program, with the exception of first-year students. Students must be in good academic standing and complete an application which is typically circulated during the first few weeks of September. To apply for the program, students can contact Peaceful Schools International by email to receive an application form. Following the application process, the applications are reviewed and then students are interviewed in order to select which students will be admitted into the program. Each year, 15-20 students are selected to participate. The program is open to students of any faculty and they do not need to have a background in conflict resolution.
Other Ways To Get Involved With Peace Education and Conflict Resolution
Saint Mary’s offers many other opportunities to strengthen student’s understanding of issues related to peace education and conflict management. At SMU, students are able to pursue a Minor in Peace and Conflict Studies, and students who have already declared their major and minor are able to take these classes as electives. In addition, Peaceful Schools International often offers courses and conferences on peace and conflict that are free of charge for university students!
Everyone deserves to live their life in peace and it is a large goal to work towards. Bridget Brownlow is an inspiring individual who has devoted her life to seeking peace for the world, and that should be celebrated. As well, the hundreds of SMU students who have been involved with the program over its 16 years must be recognized and commended for their work and efforts to teach peace and conflict strategies at the earliest opportunity to children. To find out more about The Northern Ireland Conflict Resolution Program, students can visit the Conflict Resolution Page webpage or Peaceful Schools International’s webpage.