Caring For Creation - Rossnowlagh
The annual peace seminar at Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal, runs from 10 - 12 September with the title Caring for Creation - A project of peace and reconciliation. Speakers include Sean McDonagh (Peace with the Earth - a challenge for the churches), Peter Millar (Listening To The Rainbow Voices Who Struggle For Justice…), Bev Doherty (Consume With Care - Practical Steps For An Earth-Friendly Lifestyle), and Ralph Sheppard (Nature's Kaleidoscope), plus other programme including 'cosmic walk', slideshow etc. The programme runs from 6.30pm supper on Friday 10th September through to lunch at 1pm on Sunday 12th. Cost: voluntary donation for seminar, paid accommodation available locally. Further details; Franciscan Friary, Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal. Phone 072 - 51342.

Women's ‘Let's Talk Politics’ Programme In Derry
Women Taking Part in Derry has got funding to run four ‘Let's Talk Politics’ courses in local communities in the Derry/Londonderry area in the year from this September and other political discussions. Women Taking Part is a community empowerment project encouraging the participation of women from diverse backgrounds, and it operates on both a single identity and cross community basis, with involvement from different groups in the area. There are no women MPs or MEPs from Northern Ireland, women make up only 15% of local councillors, and women's concerns are always placed at the bottom of the political agenda. If individual, or groups of, women are interested in taking part, contact:

Tanya Gallagher, Peace and Reconciliation Group, 18/20 Bishop Street, Londonderry BT48 6PW. phone 01504 - 369206, E-mail PeacePRG@aol.com The course is offered free including childcare.

Sonairte Summer Programme
Sonairte, the National Ecology Centre, is open every day over the summer to visitors (Monday - Friday 10.00am - 5.00pm, Saturday 11.00am - 5.00pm, Sunday 11.00am - 6.00pm). This year it features a number of new attractions: it includes a riverside nature trail, organic garden, renewable energy displays, adventure playground, coffee shop and picnic areas. A brand new Eco-Gift Shop is also newly opened, stocked with a variety of environmentally friendly goods, organic gardening tools and materials, and organic food and wine. Group bookings are also welcome. Special summer events taking place include: Summer Fun Day on Sunday 18th July, Family Day on Sunday 22nd August, and Organic Day on Sunday 12th September. Information on forthcoming courses will be available shortly - contact Sonairte to receive information. Sonairte, the National Ecology Centre, The Ninch, Laytown, Co Meath. Phone 041 - 9827572 / 9827854; fax 9828130, E-mail sonairte@drogheda.edunet.ie

PS It's close to the Dublin-Belfast road for those passing that way.

The Nonviolence Of The Brave
This is the title of the latest offering from IFOR, the International Fellowship of Reconciliation in their 'Patterns in Reconciliation' series. This consists of two articles, 'Cultures of Peace and Communities of Faith' by Elise Boulding, and 'Nonviolence in Different Spiritual Traditions' by the Multifaith Nonviolence Group in the UK, with an introduction by Mairead Corrigan Maguire. 40 pages, A5, single copy UK£4, subs to 'Patterns' are UK£8 for two issues. IFOR, Spoorstraat 38, 1815 BK Alkmaar, Netherlands, ph +31 - 72 512 3014, fax 515 1102, E-mail office@ifor.org Web www.ifor.org

Irish Amnesty Appoint Deputy Director
The Irish Section of Amnesty International (AI) has appointed a Deputy Director, Moya Campbell, to consolidate the growth in the Irish Section; originally from Belfast, Moya Campbell formerly was head of the Organisation Liaison Unit at AI's International Secretariat in London. The June issue of Amnesty magazine also reports on their May AGM and on the visit of an Amnesty International delegation to Northern Ireland in May and their recommendations, plus Kosovo/a and other situations. AI - Irish Section, 48 Fleet Street, Dublin 2, phone 01 - 6776361, fax 6776392, E-mail info@amnesty.iol.ie

Comhar - National Sustainable Development Partnership
This forum for consultation and dialogue on issues surrounding the Republic's pursuit of sustainable development was launched in February with a wide variety of economic, NGO and environmental groups represented. It is chaired by John Bowman. It is considering, among other things, how best to influence behaviour across the economy and society to support Ireland's international commitments on climate change and identify and develop good practice. Further information: Comhar Secretariat, 17 St Andrew's Street, Dublin 2, phone: 01 - 888 3990. Source of this item: Environmental Bulletin No.42, May 1999 , produced by Environmental Awareness Section, Department of the Environment and Local Government, Custom House, Dublin 1, phone 01 - 888 2601, fax 888 2014, E-mail yvonne_rowland@environ.irlgov.ie

An Editorial: Cold, Wet and Hot
If summers in Northern Ireland are not renowned for warmth and sunshine, at least for a few days the sun usually shines brilliantly. But unfortunately the real heat is in the political situation and in particular the summer loyal order marches. As the (another) deadline goes by, for setting up governmental structures in the North dependent on progress on decommissioning of paramilitary arms, and the Unionist Party and Sinn Fein at opposite ends of the barrel of a gun (metaphorically speaking), continuing uncertainty about the future and where the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement goes would lead to greater risks of slipping into violence.

It seems that we don't want the past but we don't truly want the future either, at least a risky future where all are involved in a political system which necessitates compromising sacred shibboleths, so 'we' let things drift on. What we have, we hold - on all sides - and what we don't have we're not going to risk too much to get. It will not be the last crisis, even if a Houdini-type escape is made from the chains which currently bind politicians [shortly after this editorial is written! Though that would still be good!].

However this editorial is primarily about nonviolent action. If some Northern Protestants and loyalists feel themselves oppressed it is because the status quo has shifted from a situation where their 'superiority' was guaranteed ('superiority' in inverted commas because for many it meant nothing). If Protestant areas get less Euro-money that is because they have not had as many projects at the right stage to apply for funding, though this is a situation that requires action. And the idea that Protestants are culturally oppressed may be comforting but it is not the truth. Yes, there have been sectarian killings of Protestants, as Catholics, and concentrations of them in particular areas; the suffering of victims on all sides has to be acknowledged and dealt with. But to use the blanket label of 'ethnic cleansing' is unfortunate when the real thing has been going on in Kosovo/a. Northern Ireland remains a 'British' statelet, even if the very term 'British' is currently being redefined. Both the British and Irish flags are often used in Northern Ireland in objectionable ways, flaunted in the face of people who don't want them; cultural freedom should not extend to flaunting the parts of your culture that your neighbours object to.

However there is a right to protest, indeed a right to protest about Drumcree and the inability of the Orange Order to be allowed down the Garvaghy Road in Portadown. But let's be clear about this. The so-called "right to walk the Queen's Highway" is just so much nonsense. A decade ago when the Drumcree Faith and Justice Group on the Garvaghy Road applied for a march to the centre of Portadown, to test this, there were loyalist threats and it was cordoned into the Catholic area; they did not have the right to walk the "Queen's Highway". It has to be accepted that some roads are more neutral than others are.

Confrontation has a place in nonviolent action - confronting those involved in injustice to make them aware of the issue and of the opposition. But nonviolence also necessitates an effort at communication, not just through a loudhailer or the media. And if an action does not communicate to the people it matters then it is failing. A 'Long March' by some loyalists has been partly protesting against the block on marching the Garvaghy Road. That is not going to persuade one person on the Garvaghy Road of the loyalist cause. Contrast this with the concept of an 'amity march' (as used in Sri Lanka, for example, or inter-faith pilgrimages in Cambodia) which deliberately tries to bring in different cultures and people. Even with a particular political objective it could be done with the aim of dialogue. We need to break stereotypes, the stereotypes of Orangemen, the stereotypes of people on the Garvaghy Road, the stereotypes which are part of what makes Northern Ireland the unforgiving place it can be, on all sides (not least the comfortable, do-nothing middle class). We can be true to ourselves, stand up for our beliefs and culture and reach out to the other side. Unfortunately that is not yet a lesson which has been learnt by some, and the cost is paid by others. We have a long road to travel yet; let us hope the road is open. Let us walk forward resolutely to the Long Dialogue. - RF.

Nonviolent News hopes to do a supplement on Peace and Conflict Studies and Research in Ireland in the autumn (probably with the October issue; it will also receive a prime location on our web site where it will be updateable). Letters are enclosed with some copies of this Nonviolent News inviting contributions for this. Of course there is a problem of definition so if you don't get a letter but think you should be included, please get in touch!

It is not intended to produce an August issue but any urgent/time-limited events or news can be included on INNATE's web site. We hope you have a good summer and may the peace go with you.