NPC NI Working Group Logs Out
The Northern Ireland Working Group of the National Peace Council has decided to go dormant with a review in December. This follows changes at the NPC itself (see NN #81) and a reduced level of energy. The Working Group has been ploughing away for a dozen years organising events, producing publications and acting as a contact point in Britain (their 'Roots of Conflict' Roots to Peace' - see NN #75 - is still available). Their closing letter ends "If you have any campaigns or concerns you wish to share with groups in Britain do let any or all of us know in what ways we may act in solidarity with your work for peace".

Community Relations Tender Loving Care: 'Building relationships…'
Oops, it's the Community Relations Training Learning Consortium and their conference on 'Building relationships of trust in a post-conflict society' takes place on Wednesday 13th September at the Stormont Hotel, Belfast, and Thursday 14th September at St. Columb’s Park House, Derry/Londonderry. You can get Day One at £15 and Day Two at no charge (social evening on 13th extra). This is their first conference; day one will focus on the trust building function across a range of agencies, day two on developing Consortium membership in line with enhancing working practice. Details/Bookings; CRTLC, Unit T7, Dungannon Enterprise Centre, 2 Coalisland Road, Dungannon, Co Tyrone BT71 6JT, Tel: 028 - 8772 9610, Fax: 028 - 8772 9611, e-mail info@crtlc.org Web: www.crtlc.org

New ISE Research Project on European Security
The International Peace Studies programme at the Irish School of Ecumenics has launched a research project, coordinated by Bill McSweeney and Gillian Wylie, on European Security after the Cold War. It is kicking off with a three-day postgraduate seminar on European security and particularly the consequences of NATO's expansion, on 13 - 15 September. As a public session there will be a lecture by Dr Eric Herring (Dept of Politics, University of Bristol) on Thursday 14th September at 7.30 pm in the bank of Ireland Arts Centre, Foster Place (off College Green), Dublin 2. ISE hope to hold other public lectures on the theme during the year. ISE, Bea House, Milltown Park, Dublin 6, Tel: 01 - 260 1144, Fax: 260 1158, e-mail: tcdpeace@indigo.ie Web: http://indigo.ie/~tcdpeace

ICCL/Irish Council for Civil Liberties
ICCL has cause to express its concern over several human rights issues over the summer months. It criticised the Government over its failure to ensure the proper treatment of psychiatric patients following the publication of the Report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals. It also expressed grave disquiet at the decision of the DPP not to institute criminal proceedings against any member of An Garda Siochana arising from the shooting of John Carthy at Abbeylara. ICCL regarded the recent decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Bill as disappointing. The Women's Committee of ICCL published 'Women and the Refugee Experience: Towards a Statement of Best Practice', copies of which can be obtained from the office at Dominick Court, 40 - 41 Lower Dominick Street, Dublin 1. Subscriptions to ICCL are £15 individuals, £22 double, £5 unwaged (enquire about organisational rates). Tel: 01 - 878 3136/7, Fax: 873 3109, e-mail iccl@iol.ie or visit the website at http://www.iccl.ie/

White Poppies
Yes, as autumn beckons it's getting close to that time of year again....'Support a culture of peace: wear a white poppy at remembrance time’ the leaflet says. The Peace Pledge Union/PPU in Britain makes white poppies available, along with other resources for peace [leaflet enclosed for those receiving this by post]; a ten poppy pack is £6, five for £3, or 25 for £12.50 (+ £1.70 on postage and packing on all orders). The material is also available at www.ppu.org.uk PPU, 41b Brecknock Road, London N7 0BT, Tel: 020 7424 9444, Fax: 020 7482 6390.

Peace - Prayer Enterprise And Christian Effort, Cork
PEACE (Prayer Enterprise And Christian Effort) was founded to promote prayer for peace and reconciliation in Ireland. Each year in March, PEACE organises Cork Peace Week which begins with a concelebrated mass for peace and reconciliation in Ireland and concludes with an ecumenical service. Preachers are usually invited to come to Cork from Northern Ireland. PEACE also organises the National Song Contest for Peace; the 6th annual song contest for peace will take place in March 2001, and songwriters/composers are invited to submit songs of peace. Details of the contest and an entry form can be obtained from; Cecil Hurwitz, Mount Carmel, 4 Whitebeam Road, Togher, Cork. Tel: 021 - 496 1633, Fax: 427 3734.The closing date for receipt of entries will be Friday 1st December 2000. Other activities include Annual Peace People of the Year Awards; there will be special awards in 2001 to mark the 25th Anniversary of Cork Peace Week with awards to journalists for excellence in reporting events in Northern Ireland.

Refugees - Amnesty Document
Amnesty International in Ireland has issued a 4-page document on 'Refugees in Ireland - Exploding the Myths' which is a very useful summary of the situation and procedures. They have also a made an appointment of a part-time Refugee Officer, Ursula Fraser, who brings a wealth of knowledge of asylum law to the position. Irish Amnesty has also launched a £5 Calling Card as a fundraising venture (up to 70% savings on international calls) - on sale in the Amnesty shop in Fleet Street or can be ordered. AI, 48 Fleet Street, Dublin 2, Tel: 01 - 677 6361, Fax: 01 - 677 6392, Web http://www.amnesty.ie/

'Genetic Concern' Wound Up
After 3 years of campaigning, Genetic Concern decided to wind up some months ago and let the work be absorbed into the work of other organisations. They specifically mentioned the following 3 organisations;

I(n)FOR a WRI Time
Here's a short update regarding the International Fellowship of Reconciliation and the War Resisters International, both of which INNATE has links with.

IFOR held its Council meeting in July in the Netherlands where there were many issues to be sorted out. Lack of funding has resulted in the temporary suspension of several IFOR programmes - for example, the Nonviolence Education and Training programme with David Grant may only run until the end of the year; fortunately the Women Peacemaker Programme with Shelley Anderson will continue. The following are the members of the Interim Steering Committee elected by consensus until the next Council in 2002 including two members from our neighbouring island - Awel Irene as vice-president (Cymdeithas y Cymod/Welsh FOR), and Denis Beaumont (FOR England). President is Virginia Baron from the USA, plus Eric Bachman (treasurer), Ocan Ali Onano and Ataur Rahman. IFOR, Spoorstraat 38, 1815 BK Alkmaar, Netherlands, Tel: +31 - 72 512 30 14, e-mail office@ifor.org Website http://www.ifor.org

Meanwhile WRI held its (annual) Council meeting in England where the topical seminar Topic ‘From Kosov@ To Seattle: What Role For Nonviolent Action?’ included a couple of inputs from Northern Ireland. Upcoming on an international level is a Nonviolence and Social Empowerment conference in India at the very end of 2000/start of 2001, and the BIG WRI Triennial conference in July 2002 will take place in Dublin/Ireland (!!!!First warning) - the Council discussed ideas in detail for this. WRI , 5 Caledonian Road, London N1 9DX, Tel: +44 (0)20 7278 4040, Fax: 7278 0444, e-mail warresisters@gn.apc.org and Website http://www.gn.apc.org/warresisters

INNATE Belfast Networking:
The first networking group meeting of the autumn will take place on Monday 25th September at 7.30 pm in Quaker House, 7 University Avenue, Belfast 7; anyone interested welcome, queries to 028 - 90 64 71 06. We would encourage anyone interested in suggesting and/or planning possible INNATE programme to attend...or make contact.