Identity Exploration completes key study on sectarianism in Northern Ireland
Willing communities get each other wrong
Belfast, Northern Ireland – September 22nd 2011 – A newly published research study identifies very positive aspirations for a shared society in N.Ireland within both communities but reveals that each community does not feel the other shares these aspirations.
A new piece of original research entitled ‘Community identities and a shared future for N.Ireland?’ has just been published which looks at the identity, aspirations and perspectives of twelve groups of people drawn from both of the main communities in N.Ireland.
The results reveal that there are very positive aspirations for a shared future among most people on both sides of the community divide in N.Ireland and that many feel that this could happen very quickly. The research indicates, however, that neither community really believes that people from the other community actually share their aspirations for sharing, a perception which is, in most cases, inaccurate. These inaccurate perceptions remain a significant barrier to greater sharing and integration. The report describes a clear need for targeted interventions at a local level, informed by a deep understanding of issues specific to that locality and focused on prejudice reduction, inter-cultural and anti-sectarian approaches which have been seen to be successful in some areas.
The research also highlights important issues with the younger generation. While many of the younger people shared positive aspirations for the future, their more immediate stance was not supportive of greater sharing and integration and indeed many indicated a preference for greater separation between the communities.
The full report and an executive summary are available on the OFMdFM research website at: http://www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk/index/equality/equalityresearch/research-publications/gr-pubs.htm