David Tyler Trust International Projects

Wednesday 17 June 2020

Corrymeela Cross-Community Learning Summit : Northern Ireland


Corrymeela Cross-Community Learning Summit



This 3-day engagement will work with smaller community groups within marginalised communities to develop leadership and capacity to build cohesive and inclusive places through interpreting and sharing the heritage of their landscape.  There will be a focus on areas that have been proportionately
affected by conflict.


These communities will involve the Ligoniel Improvement Association, a contested space in the north of the city where there is an ‘interface’ between unionist and nationalist residents, and Ballynafeigh Community Development Association, a mixed neighbourhood where there is ongoing tension between competing public commemoration of the past, as well as increasing racism towards migrants who have moved into the area. In the border area of Northern Ireland we will engage with the Rural Community Network. These rural areas saw a disproportionate level of deaths during the conflict and have been thrust into uncertainty by the process of Brexit. They have poor access to services and would be isolated. We have recruited a group of ethnic minorities in the Ballymena area, where there has been an increase in hate crime against migrants. In the Northern Ireland LGBTQ+ community, we will therefore work with the Rainbow Project to provide opportunities for their members to engage. Overall this learning summit will directly involve 60 learners with approximately 160 wider community members engaging with the project though sharing events.