Community Action in a Contested Society

Much has been written about the history of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, but one story remains untold: the story of the grassroots activism that maintained local communities in the face of violence. This book speaks through the voices of the activists themselves, drawn from both sides of a divided society.

Autorentext

Avila Kilmurray is Visiting Professor in the Transitional Justice Institute at Ulster University and works as a consultant with the Social Change Initiative (Northern Ireland). She has worked extensively in the community and voluntary sectors and was Director of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland for twenty years. She was also a founder member of the Northern Ireland Women s Coalition and a member of its negotiating team during the 1996 1998 peace talks.

Zusammenfassung
« As you read this book, you will discover how a peace process can be built from the bottom up. If you want to find out how Northern Ireland coped with its long-running nightmare of recurring violence, you will see here how community activists responded with courage, resilience and amazing leadership - unsung heroes and heroines who played a key role in conflict resolution and community development within, and across, the sectarian divide. » (Professor Monica McWilliams)

Inhalt

CONTENTS: Timeline: Northern Ireland, 1969 2015 Politics Rules, OK! Social Activism with a Twist of Politics Community Relations and Community Development: The Cuckoo or the Nest? Politics and Community Action: A Delicate Balance When the Minister Comes Calling Handbags at the Ready: The Politics of `Safe Hands Civil Servants Unleashed: BATs, RATs and MBW Community Action: Relations in Practice? Peace, Imperfect Peace The Rollercoaster of Change Peacebuilding in Shades of Grey Drawing the Lessons: Community Action in Troubled Times