Nonviolence News
- Nonviolence and Campaigning News from Belfast -

Number 64: 5th November 1998

News Items

Back to
previous
issue
North West Blazes Trail On Earth Rights
Saturday 28th November sees an exciting one-day gathering taking place in Derry which has applicability on a much wider level (participants are welcome from further afield). Earth Rights - shaping a sustainable future for the north-west is the title of the day organised by Foyle Basin Council (a cross-border body). Those providing input include John Feehan, Sean McDonagh and Susan Baker. 'On the verge of the new millennium we are being called to walk humbly, do justice and live in right relationships to that which sustains us physically and spiritually… The aim of this conference will be to look at ways towards restoring right relationships with all of creation' says the introduction.

As well as the keynote speakers, mentioned above, there are a wide variety of workshops:

  • Questioning development with Dara Molloy
  • Creating a local Agenda 21 network for faith communities with Sean McDonagh and Peter Doran
  • Global Action Plan with Audrey Dickson; Responding to the debt crisis with Michael O'Sullivan
  • Exploring sustainable development through drama with Toxic Theatre Company
  • The bioregion - focus on the NorthWest and the future of our natural heritage with Ralph Sheppard
  • Celebrating creation through music with Jacynth Hamill; Ecofeminism with Susan Baker.

The day takes place at the Calgach Centre, Butcher Street, Derry, beginning with registration from 9.30 am and finishing at 5.30pm; the fee is 5 Pounds or 2 Pounds concession (UK or IR). There will also be stalls and displays from a variety of groups. Further information and booking forms (which ask for preferences for workshops) asap from; Foyle Basin Council, 22 Bishop Street, L'Derry BT48 6PP. Tel: 01504 - 377970, Fax: 370859, E-mail pfdoran@ecology.u-net.com

Remembrance Of War Dead - An Editorial
It is a healthy sign that increasingly in the Republic it is possible to remember those who died in the world wars and to acknowledge the role which Ireland played in international conflicts. If Ireland was a victim of British policies over centuries the country also played a prominent role in some of Britain's imperial and military ventures (this news-sheet comes to you from a house named after a British army general, Sir John Moore!). The fact that the Republic was the first part of the British Empire to throw off the yoke of British rule should not detract from remembering those who died in the service of Britain and, most likely, a cause they believed in.

However there are some standards which need to be employed in remembrance, North, South, east or west , and this applies to the dead of the Troubles as well as those who died elsewhere. Firstly, remembrance needs to be done sensitively so as not to offend where this can be avoided. Secondly, all war dead need to be remembered - not just 'our' dead, whoever they may be. Thirdly, unless there is an active commitment to work to avoid wars and military conflicts, and more generally for peace, remembrance is an empty shell. Fourthly, remembrance should avoid glorification of today's armies and states. Finally, remembrance needs to be done in the context of an historical understanding of realities then and realities now; the First World War, for example, was the outcome of superpower rivalries and the quest for global ascendancy, and the roots of the Second World War are strongly in the First World War and its aftermath. We have not had a war to end all wars. What we need is effective ways to break into history so that wars do not happen; fortuitously western Europe seems to have been getting there but without learning many lessons in a wider world context.

- Rob Fairmichael

Forward
to next
issue
Co-operation Ireland - North and South working together
As of 1st September 1998, Co-operation North is now known as Co-operation Ireland. The name Co-operation Ireland more accurately reflects the nature of the organisation's work and the environment in which it now operates. Co-operation Ireland will remain a force for real change and will intensify its work as a catalyst for North/South co-operation by assisting all those who wish to promote reconciliation, tolerance and mutual trust. For more information contact; Catrina Gallen, Co-operation Ireland, 7 Botanic Avenue, Belfast BT7 1JG, phone 01232 - 321462. E-mail cgallen@co-operation-ireland.ie

In the Republic, contact Sharon Woods, 37 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2, phone 01 - 661 05 88, E-mail swoods@co-operation-ireland.ie

Kilcranny House needs volunteers
Kilcranny House currently needs volunteers looking for work, preferably with experience in one or more of the areas of group work, catering, nonviolence/consensus, organic gardening, animal welfare, minibus driving, admin, and community relations skills. Board, accommodation and training available. Kilcranny House, 21 Cranagh Road, Coleraine BT51 3NN. Tel:/Fax: 01265 - 321816. E-mail info@kilcranny.thegap.com
AVP - Alternatives to Violence Project
AVP is an organisation of volunteers who, through running workshops, enable people to develop effective ways of dealing with conflict creatively and without violence. Workshops are run both in prisons and in the community (there are a series of three workshops to reach facilitator level).

A basic, first level, course is taking place in Dublin from Friday to Sunday, 4th - 6th December (starting 5.30pm and running through to 5pm on Sunday); the fee for this is 20 Irish Pounds and further details are available from Robert Campbell at 01 - 455 03 52 (8 Benbulben Avenue, Drimnagh, Dublin 12). More generally for enquiries about AVP you can contact the secretary, Eileen Diver, at 01 - 825 25 85. As well as an active presence in the greater Dublin area, AVP is very active in Limerick, running both prison and community workshops. You can email: avpireland@tinet.ie

50 Years Of Human Rights Awareness In Ireland
Celebration and challenge - Fifty years of human rights awareness in Ireland is the title of an afternoon/early evening conference organised by the Irish Commission for Justice and Peace in Dublin on Friday 13th November, taking place at the Marino Institute of Education, Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9. The programme includes an opening address by President Mary McAleese, Margaret MacCurtain speaking on human rights and the realm of grace, Joan Harbinson on the road to equality in Northern Ireland, Duncan Morrow on the current situation on rights and relationships in the North, and Justice Declan Costello on perennial problems in human rights. There are also discussion groups and an open forum. The fee is 10 Irish Pounds (concession 5 Irish Pounds) including a sandwich lunch at 1pm (programme starts 1.30 and runs to 6.30pm).

Enquiries and bookings a s a p to Breda Farrell, Irish Commission for Justice and Peace, 169 Booterstown Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin. Tel: 01 - 288 50 21; Fax: 283 41 61.

Housmans Peace Diary 1999 with World Peace Directory
Dear Diary - Why is it that every other diary seems so tame, so useless, for the peace and nonviolent activist? With 2,000 groups listed around the world working for peace, the environment and human rights, using this is the way to always be prepared with addresses, phone and fax numbers, and E-mails, for immediate networking and action. The diary part includes a week to two pages format. Yours for 6.95 Pounds Sterling including postage and packing anywhere (discounts available on 5 or more copies). Pay by cheque, Eurocheque, credit card etc. Housmans, 5 Caledonian Road, London N1 9DX. It is also available in some political-type shops around Ireland.
Mediation - the search for common ground
Now watch the video... as part of INCORE's 'Art of Mediation' project, a 30-minute video has been produced, as titled above. This packed video includes reflections on both personal and political mediation (particularly focusing on marriage break up mediation and on Orange parades). It includes international as well as Northern perspectives and comments on the limitations and parameters of mediation. For availability contact; INCORE, Aberfoyle House, Northland Road, Londonderry BT48 7JA. Phone 01504 - 375500, Fax: 375510, E-mail INCORE@incore.ulst.ac.uk
Pax Christi Britain -
Reconciliation And Healing Of Memories

Pax Christi in Britain are organising a one-day conference on Reconciliation and the healing of memories in Northern Ireland on Saturday 21st November from 10.30 - 17.00 at Farm Street Church Hall, London (entrance off Mount Street). Speakers include Fr Gerry McFlynn, Rev Ruth Patterson and Canon Nick Frayling. The fee is 5 Pounds Sterling (3 Pounds Sterling low income), bring your own lunch (tea/coffee provided). Bookings to; Pax Christi, St Joseph's, Watford Way, Hendon, London NW4 4TY. Tel: 0181 - 203 4884, Fax: 203 5234, E-mail paxchristi@gn.apc.org
Policing In Northern Ireland
Policing is one of the big contentious issues which Northern Ireland faces, and which the commission headed by Chris Patten is looking into. Community Dialogue has produced a very useful 4 x A5 sheet to help facilitate group discussion of the issue, pinpointing different views and questions. Community Dialogue, 373 Springfield Road, Belfast BT12 7DG. Tel: 01232 - 329995, Fax: 330482, E-mail commdial@ibm.net
Web site: http://www.megabytes.org/dialogue/
  Next Innate Belfast Networking Meeting
Quaker House, 7 University Ave, Belfast, on Thursday 19th November at 7.30pm, to share info and work on a planned seminar on 'looking back, looking forward at the end of the war in Northern Ireland'; anyone interested welcome (queries to Rob, Belfast 647106).

Nonviolent News is produced ten or eleven times a year by INNATE, an Irish Network for Nonviolent Action Training and Education,
16 Ravensdene Park, Belfast BT6 0DA, Phone/Fax 01232 - 647106;
Deadline for the next issue is 2nd December.
Enquiries welcome about resources on nonviolence available from INNATE.
Email INNATE
Subscriptions: 5 Pounds Sterling.
Back to INNATE main page