Lessons on Peace: Celebrating Northern Ireland's 20 Years of Transformation

The Good Friday Agreement signed on April 10, 1998 is one of the most successful peace accords in living memory. Northern Ireland has since become a model of peace building for the world.

In celebration of this incredible achievement, twenty years transforming Northern Ireland into what it is today, I have been reflecting on a few of the lessons imparted to me by a place I have grown to love and its people who have become my inspiration.

In honor of 20 years of peace building, here are 20 lessons I learned from Northern Ireland.*


1. The grass always seems greener on "the other" side -- this is true of peace times as much as it was during the conflict. 

2. Not everyone believes in the peace process, a very small minority of dissidents (on both sides) threaten to disrupt the political process through violence. 

3. There are even more physical divisions now than there were in 1998 as communities have been pushed closer together by the growing population size. 

4. Gates are opening through community consultation, including here at Alexandra Park, which opened through the efforts of the local community in 2011 after 17 years of division. 

5. Murals are changing to reflect a re-imaged and re-imagined society, removing intimidating images which have become like "wallpaper" on the sides of homes in years gone by. Belfast is now as known for its creative street art in the city centre as it is for its political murals. 

6. Not everyone will move forward at the same pace or in the same direction.

7. The legacy of the past lingers on.

 

8. Sectarianism still exists on both sides of the community, where important identity symbols of "the other" are disrespected and overtly attacked. 

 

9. Identity politics distract and detract from solving serious social issues. Politicians are sustained by their stance on core identity issues including flags and language. Meanwhile, many deeply deprived communities, usually those living at an interface who have already suffered disproportionately during the conflict, lose out on progress in education, mental health services, economic opportunities, infrastructure and other essential provisions. 

10. Those who have suffered unimaginable loss continue to mourn. Local memorials exist to remember those who were taken before their time while identifying those seen to be responsible. Finding meaningful ways to heal and reconcile from the wounds of war, without ignoring needs for justice, continues to be a work in progress. 

11. Connecting to international conflicts was / is one way groups in Northern Ireland legitimise their struggles. Global conflicts became viewed through the prism of local divisions, adding another layer of "us" and "them" into the political discourse. 

  12. Newcomers arrive to a mixed reception in Northern Ireland and must learn to navigate complex political realities. There is an old joke (skip to punchline) "yes, but are you a Protestant Hindu or a Catholic Hindu?" As we move further away from the conflict, newcomers are helping to shift the focus away from two party politics and two sided conflict. The shift is not always easy, and the changes are not always welcome. At its core, Northern Ireland is extremely welcoming, opening their doors and homes to refugees and asylum seekers in need, and embracing a more diverse and global society. 

13. Tourists are as fascinated by local politics as they are by the world class attractions. Conflict tourism aside, Northern Ireland appeals to people because of its realness, and maybe even its grit. The humour and creativity that helped the people of Northern Ireland through the Troubles are the same characteristics that enamour its visitors. 

14. There are still injustices to fight against racism, sexism, islamaphobia, homophobia, sectarianism... to move towards a more open society.

15. The community is organised and motivated to drive social change: to fight for same sex marriage, to build tolerance and inclusion, to welcome refugees and end racism. The civil society and local community brought the peace they so wanted twenty years ago, and they have not stopped. A new generation, raised by that same spirit, will continue to carve new roads to realise even greater peace -- in its fullest form. 

16. Culture: art, music, theater, and storytelling will continue to transform Northern Ireland. New songs, and street art, and plays, and stories are the vehicles for continued change. They grow the empathy and capacity of a country continuing to define itself in peace times.  

17. The people are as creative as they are resilient. 

18. They are the reason that Northern Ireland is an inspiration for the world.

 19. There is reason to hope! 

 20. Change will continue to come, peace by piece. ✌️

*Note: Conflict and peace are complex themes, which require more nuance than this snapshot. These photographs are from my personal collection, and will therefore be reflective of my experiences. It was not always possible to show all sides fully and evenly, but I've done my best to capture the meaning behind the text.