Peace Building in the Republic
The Republic has often been relatively ignored when it comes to peace building and conflict resolution, either in relation to the North or in its own right. ‘Peace Building in the Republic of Ireland’, issued by the Peace and Reconciliation Platform, is a 72 page (A4) discussion document looking at some of the relevant issues in relation to peace and reconciliation on the southern side of the border which do not always get the attention they deserve. One of its points is the inadequate state funding of the NGO peace sector. A conclusion is the recommendation of a small, non-statutory Conflict Transformation Agency to be set up on a 3 year pilot basis on the model of the Combat Poverty Agency. The report also includes details on the members of the Platform (Ed note: this is not a full directory of groups in the sector); Centre for Peace and Development Studies (University of Limerick), Co-operation Ireland, Cultures of Ireland (Dun Laoghaire), Drogheda Ecumenical Peace Group, Glencree Centre for Reconciliation, Guild of Ancient Uriel (Drogheda), Irish Peace Institute (Uni of Limerick), Irish School of Ecumenics, Kilbride School Peace Project (Co Meath), Meath Peace Group, New Consensus, Peace '93, Peace Train Organisation, Stop '96, Unitarian Church Justice Peace Desk, 80:20 Educating and Acting for a Better World. Copies are available from Glencree (Glencree Centre, Glencree, Co Wicklow, Tel: 01 - 282 9711) and Co-operation Ireland (37 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2, Tel: 01 - 661 0588).

Hopping Mad at Minister!
Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland (FOENI) have been very busy over the last few months. They dubbed the Public Inquiry into the proposed M1/Westlink expansion in Belfast a 'kangaroo court' after it emerged that the inspector was appointed by the Department of Regional Development. This means the Department was essentially the judge in its own trial, hardly independent and impartial and was probably in breach of EU human rights law. Meanwhile FOENI along with the West Belfast Partnership Board have published a report highlighting the alternative ways of managing congestion on the Westlink which would give a better return for the Department's £46m. We all know that new road space merely fills up with induced traffic making the situation worse than before, but we now have to convince the decision makers and this is where the citizens of Northern Ireland come in. FOENI will be mobilising its local groups, supporters and the public at large to pressure the NI Assembly into adopting a sound, sustainable transport strategy. The railways may have had a stay of execution but we need greater investment in public transport, walking and cycling and a reform of the planning system so the private car is no longer at its core. If you'd like to know more about FOE's campaigns, local groups or how to become a supporter, Tel: 028 - 9066 4311, e-mail on foe-ni@foe.uk or check out their website on www.foe.co/uk/ni/

In the Republic, Earthwatch (Friends of the Earth Ireland) can be contacted at 7 Upper Camden Street, Dublin 2, Tel: 01 - 497 3773, e-mail foeeire@iol.ie

AO...B? or: Parading Your Skills
Interested in contributing to creative alternatives to disputes over parades and protests across Northern Ireland? Like to develop skills and experience in mediation? Could you commit to working, self-employed, for about 100 days per year mainly in the spring and summer? Able to travel throughout Northern Ireland? On behalf of the Parades Commission, the Mediation Network is recruiting three Authorised Officers (AOs) to join the Commission's existing team of nine. AOs receive training and are paid a £750 monthly fee and expenses; initial contract will be to December. Information pack available from; Mediation Network for Northern Ireland (AO Recruitment), 10 Upper Crescent, Belfast BT7 1NT, e-mail info@mediation-network.org.uk Tel: (028) 9043 8614. Applications close noon 21st March.

Community Relations Resource Centre
The one-stop shop for those looking for materials on community relations is the efficient and friendly Community Relations Information Centre in Belfast, who recently published their spring 2001 catalogue - they are eager to hear from organisations in the field whose publications are not already available there. They also maintain the Community Relations Council/CRC website at http://www.community-relations.org.uk and the CRC also has a reference library available for consultation. Contact; Community Relations Information Centre, 21 College Square East (opposite Murray Street/Belfast Institute), Belfast BT1 6DE. Phone (028) 9022 7555, Fax: 9022 7550, e-mail info@community-relations.org.uk

Waiting… Sole Purpose Productions
Sole Purpose Productions now has 3 peace process plays in production. The latest, written and directed by Dave Duggan, is called ‘Waiting...’ It dramatises the meeting between an ex-political prisoner and a victim, and recent performances have been in Armagh and Antrim. More details from solepurpose@mac.com or Sole Purpose Productions, The Playhouse, Artillery Street, Derry Londonderry BT48 6RG, Tel: (028) 7127 9918.

An Crann: Crossings
Long term perspectives of the Troubles
The latest publication from An Crann/The Tree is a 112-page book with the title ‘Crossings - Long-term perspectives of the Troubles’. It takes the form of 11 ordinary, extraordinary people (some named, including Padraic Fiacc, some not or only by a first name) from 67 - 93 years old talking about their lives and the civil unrest and effects of sectarianism. It is a fascinating and easily readable picture of what went before, and sufferings during, the Troubles. ISBN 1 898 472 64 5. £4.95. An Crann, 10 Arthur Street, Belfast BT1 4GD, Tel: 028 - 9024 0209, Fax: 9024 0219, e-mail AnCrann1@Compuserve.com

Easy Peasy
(ECPCR Poland): From systems to people
Remember that international conference that took place in Belfast, the European Conference on Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution, in October 1998? You do? You don't? Anyhow, the next one, ECPCR5, takes place in Poland from 16 - 21 September 2001 at Katowice on the theme 'From Systems To People', and the themes partly reflect the central/eastern European venue but anyone involved in research/theory/practice of conflict management/ resolution/mediation, etc. is invited; the detailed programme will be available by June. The working language is English. The fee is 400 Euros (inc. lunches) before July plus accommodation. Locals on the ECPCR Steering Committee are Elaine Rowan and Tanya Gallagher. Registration is being handled by the International School of Banking and Finance, ul. Ks. bpa St. Adamskiego 7, 40-069 Katowice, Poland, Tel/Fax: +48- 32 - 251 78 23. The website is at: http://ecpcr5.isbf.katowice.pl

INCORE
INCORE's Annual Report for 1999-2000 is now available (24 pages, A4) and gives a detailed account of work done plus pen pictures and responsibilities of staff. Cheyanne Church is the new director of the Policy and Evaluation Unit. The International Summer School takes place from 10 - 15 June this year with 3 simultaneous courses (all in fee £425, some bursaries may be available for local community workers). The Ethnic Studies Network conference is from 27 - 30 June under the title 'From violence to politics'. INCORE, Aberfoyle House, Northland Road, Londonderry BT48 7JA, Tel: 028 - 71 375500, e-mail INCORE@incore.ulst.ac.uk

Alternative Economics / Taking Credit Where It's Due
‘Alternative Economics: Is Debt Cancellation Enough?’ is the title of an evening public meeting and a one-day conference happening respectively on Tuesday 27th March from 7.30pm (admission free), and Wednesday 28th March from 9.30am - 4.00pm (admission £10) at the Teachers' Club, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin. Sponsored by Irish School of Ecumenics (ISE) and Debt & Development Coalition Ireland. Speakers include Richard Douthwaite, Sheikh Dr Zaki Badawi and Claudine Gaidoni. Closing date for bookings for the day conference listed is 5th March so contact ISE; Irish School of Ecumenics, Milltown Park, Dublin 6, Tel: 260 1144, Fax: 260 1158, e-mail tcdpeace@indigo.ie

From Belfast to the Balkans
The One World Centre in Belfast is sponsoring a talk by Peter Emerson of the de Borda Institute on ‘From Belfast To The Balkans - Was 'Democracy' Part Of The Problem?’ on Wednesday 28th March at 7.30pm in the Staff Common Room of QUB in College Gardens, Belfast, free admittance. One World Centre, 4 Lower Crescent, Belfast BT7 1NR, Tel: (028) 9024 1879.

AVP Belfast Workshop
There's an AVP/Alternatives to Violence Project workshop (Basic level) taking place in Belfast from 30th March - 1st April; fee £15 (unwaged £10). See Nonviolent News 86 and 82. Contact; Christy Bischoff, AVP, 295a Ballygomartin Road, Belfast BT13 3QX, Tel: (028) 9072 1183, e-mail christybischoff@hotmail.com

Dirty Business
CAAT, the Campaign Against Arms Trade in Britain, has recently updated its 'clean investment' information, including quite a bit about Irish investments, and you can find out more about the churches and other bodies who have their hands dirty at www.caat.demon.co.uk/clean.html CAAT is at 11 Goodwin Street, London N4 3HQ, Tel: (020) 7281 0297, Fax: (028) 7281 4369. PS Don't forget the INNATE conference on local involvement in the arms trade on 24th March (see last issue)