Towards Understanding and Healing
~
A Storytelling and Dialogue Project ~
Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland
History
The
30 years of the Troubles in Northern Ireland left much pain and suffering
in their wake. With the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998,
a space to finally address this pain began to appear. Agencies and organisations
working on the ground saw a need for a project that could create a safe
environment for individuals from diverse backgrounds to share their stories
of the Troubles with each other across community boundaries. With this
sharing, individuals and the wider community could begin to process the
legacy of the conflict.
In
1998, a working committee was formed, representing various agencies in
the field of community relations/community healing. Maureen Hetherington
(then the Community Relations Officer with the Derry City Council and
now the Coordinator of The Junction) and Eamonn
Deane (Director of the Holywell
Trust) spearheaded the project. Informed and influenced by other dialogue/storytelling
projects both in Northern Ireland and abroad (please see Towards Understanding
and Healing's influences), the committee
began exploring the possibility of bringing a group of ex-soldiers and
parents of soldiers killed in Northern Ireland to meet with various individuals
interested in exploring and understanding the impact of the conflict and
the consequences of the soldiers' presence in Northern Ireland.
On 24-26 November 2000, the first Towards Understanding and Healing residential was held and brought together ex-British soldiers, parents of soldiers killed in Northern Ireland, victims of state and paramilitary violence from both Great Britain and Northern Ireland, ex-paramilitaries, community members, and representatives from other conflict areas.
The following year, on 30 November to 2 December 2001, another Towards Understanding and Healing residential was held. Then, from 9 to 16 August 2002, Towards Undestanding and Healing, in partnership with To Reflect and Trust, organized an international conference entitled "Peace is Tough" in Derry/Londonderry. The conference brought together a wide range of politicians and community activists from Israel/Palestine, South Africa, Germany, the United States of America, and Northern Ireland to explore the relationship between those at the decision-making and policy-making level and those working at the grassroots level. The conference looked at the compromises made towards the attainment of peace, what is meant by peace, and the relationship between peace and human rights, among other topics.
With the success of the first residentials and the conference, it became clear that there was a need for a continued Towards Understanding and Healing presence. Sara Cook took up post as the full-time coordinator for the project in Fall 2003. Since that time, the organisation has continued to strengthen connections with other organisations in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain, and abroad. It continues to look for new ways to reach individuals affected by the Troubles and provide a safe space for them to share their stories and dialogue. As one participant said, "Sometimes the only way to respond to the truthful telling of a story is with your own story." It's a simple idea, but it is a powerful and effective one, and it is the essence of Towards Understanding and Healing.
The Junction - 8 Bishop St. - Derry/Londonderry - BT48 6PW- Northern Ireland
Tel: +44 28 7136 1942 ~ Fax: +44 28 7126 4641
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