Peace and Reconciliation Group

Since the beginning of February 2008 PRG have been working with a group of loyalist men in Ballykeel area of Ballymena. The group was formed with a view to developing reconciliation and community work in the area. All 15 members of the group have completed a training programme focused on issues of self identity and community identity as well as examining the identity of the other side, as well as exploring perceptions and stereotypes and building a sense of respect for diversity and shared cultural aspects.

During the course of the training, the BBC programme Panorama heard of the ongoing work and asked to interview the group to hear their views on “10 years after the Agreement”. The programme was televised on Monday 7th April 2008.

This training programme was then followed up by an intensive residential programme which included visits to L/Derry, the Boyne Valley and Dublin. The heritage element of the residential meant that the group had the opportunity to visit some of the heritage sites which they had studied, such as The Walls of Derry, the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall, the Free Derry Museum, the Battle of the Boyne site and Kilmainham Jail.

The second element of this programme was more practical, as the group met with various community representatives from Derry / Londonderry to hear about their work and to share experiences and thoughts on the situations which they are confronted with on a daily basis.

Following the residential, the group the met for a study trip to
Belfast. On this occasion the group size was increased, as many local young people had expressed an interest in participating. The group visited the Crumlin Road Prison and a Republican Museum on the Falls Road on this occasion.

This will be followed up by further training and eventually this single identity work may develop into cross community work.

The programme promotes reconciliation and combat sectarianism by extending knowledge and understanding of both the groups own cultural heritage and that of other groups. It fosters tolerance and acceptance of cultural diversity through understanding of the historical events which has traditionally created divisions on this island and through dialogue with community workers and others who address the legacy of these events tirelessly.

This programme is currently supported by the Anti Sectarian Fund which is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ireland and from the Communuity Relations Council.