We are Very Appealing!

As well as a variety of theme groups, where participants will have the opportunity to follow through a theme in detail with expert facilitators, there will be a whole raft of workshops, plenaries and social and cultural events. The theme of storytelling has been chosen both to fit the location of the conference - Ireland - and as a valuable area of exploration. How do we use storytelling? And how can we tell our stories better?

Northern Ireland will be the topic of a plenary session as well as of different workshops and a theatrical presentation. 'Irish neutrality' in the military context will be covered. Irish culture including music and dance will be woven into the programme.

But the conference will also reach into the four corners of Ireland through a home stay programme which is very much intended to be a two-way exchange. International visitors will get to see local areas and what activists, North or South, East or West, are doing. But they are also to be available for meetings or informal gatherings which can be used to up the profile of local groups.

What are we fundraising for in Ireland? A whole mixture of things including local administration costs, home stay programme costs, costs of Irish cultural programme (some of this will be self-financing), workcamp costs (VSI will provide a workcamp to help with practical tasks during the Triennial) and - if possible - bursaries for people who otherwise could not afford to go. And we don't want to have to stint on welcoming people. If you'd like to contribute financially you can make cheques payable to INNATE (16 Ravensdene Park, Belfast BT6 0DA) or include it with an INNATE subscription (or get in touch directly with the Dublin office if you prefer).

Sponsoring groups in Ireland include AFrI (Action from Ireland), Glencree Centre for Reconciliation, the Latin American Solidarity Centre, Musicians Opposing War, Pax Christi, Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA), WILPF (Women's International League for Peace and Freedom) and INNATE.

Additional information will be coming your way over the next couple of months about both the conference in general and the home stay programme. While all-in accommodation costs at DCU will be 350 Euros (reduced fee 300) there is also a non-residential option of 25 Euros a day (participation, packed lunch, coffee breaks) which may appeal to Dubliners or those who can invite themselves to stay with Dubliners!

We hope to make this event a time to remember for visitors and local people. A time of learning, craic, camaraderie, and movement building - at home and abroad. We hope that you may feel able to participate in whatever way possible. Thank you,