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Working Towards a Shared and Better Future

1996 – To Date ‘ A Work in Progress’

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SUFFOLK

•A protestant, unionist, community of 300 houses / 700 people – enclave interface

•Built in early 1950’s for mostly protestant, working class people from inner city areas of Belfast

•Expanded rapidly during 1950’s – 1960’s – Very much sought after place to live

•Badly affected by ‘troubles’ in the early 1970’s with estimated 500 – 550 families forced from their homes •NIHE began major programme of refurbishment in early 1990’s

•Economic Appraisal rejected in 1996 – Formal approach made to LCF

LENADOON:

•A larger catholic, nationalist community of approximately 10000 people

•Huge population shift due to troubles resulted in large number of families relocated into the area

•Multiple problems, unemployment, health, housing ......No sense of community

•1992 – Widespread community consultation lead to establishment of LCF which acts as an umbrella organisation provides a common voice on issues of concern and a lobbying mechanism to ensure government / statutory agencies fulfil their roles and commitments

Not An Easy Process• There had been no contact between the communities for over 25 years• Working against a background of 27 years of ongoing violent conflict, deeply held

suspicions and mistrust• 1997 one of the worst years of violence on the interface• Shared Future Agenda still unheard of• Community opposition / outright hostility / fears and intimidation• Important to set ground rules – relationships had to be built on honesty, openness

and acceptance• Both communities, regardless of size were completely equal partners• Different cultures, values, histories, politics recognised as equally valid• The use of appropriate language• Agreed that we would work through and confront our problems rather than

running away from them

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The Way We Were

Stewartstown Road Shops

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Derelict Houses on Front of Road

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SUFFOLK LENADOON INTERFACE GROUP– Easy to underestimate how difficult this was– Discussed Points of Mutual Concern / important to build

relationships– 6 representatives from each community met in neutral venue– Learnt from difficult mistakes / agreed processes / media

contact / joint statements– Agreed to keep a low profile and not seek publicity– Eventually funded by Atlantic Philanthropies to develop a pilot

model of a Shared Future in Action – Suffolk Lenadoon Peacebuilding Plan

– Won the Aisling Award for Community Achievement in Nov 2010– Recognised as creative / innovative and leading the way in

Peacebuilding

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Key Point: We built relationships and everything else developed from those

SLIG NOW

OPERATIONAL PLAN

YOUTH: Trainee Programme, Youth Council, Politics, History

HEALTH: Obesity, Disabilities, Mental Health, Older &Active

SPORT: Support for Local Teams, Events, Youth

INTERCULTURAL: Residents Panel, Contentious Issues, Events, Reimaging

STRATEGIC: Developing the Model, Lobbying, Strategic Engagement, Gateway Project, Writing our History

SHARED SPACES: Old Bacon Factory, Local Sites, School Site

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What Came Next? Stewartstown Road Regeneration Company:• We formed a limited company – The first of its kind in N Ireland• All done in full consultation with both communities• 4 directors from each Forum and 4 independent directors • Now recognised as a role model of good practice for community sustainability and

peacebuilding • Won the BURA award in 2003• Completed Phase 2 in 2008, new shops, office space and childcare centre• Has a stated policy of wanting to be involved in developing interface corridor• Currently working with SLIG to explore options for Phase 3• Celebrated 10th Anniversary this year

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Key Point: This had never been done before – we provided a template for others to follow

KEY SELLING POINTS TO COMMUNITIES

• Guaranteed openness and transparency – no hidden agendas• Regular and ongoing public consultations and information sharing• The project was community lead and would remain in community ownership• Both communities, regardless of size, were completely equal partners• Each community had effectively got a right of veto over decisions• No political use of premises – nothing that would offend either community• Strict criteria around letting of shop units - Design of Building • Not about trust – that had to be built• The use of appropriate language was important - economic regeneration,

jobs and income• Profits would eventually be shared on a 1/3 basis with communities

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How We Are Now

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Complete Tranformation

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Then

Now

Tourist and Leisure Facility

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Major regeneration plans include reinstating nursery education

Old School Site

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Challenges and Points to Consider

•This is Not for the Faint Hearted

• It’s a Long Term Process – How do you Even Begin

•Community Engagement Essential

•Who Speaks for the Community - Gatekeepers •Inter / Intra Community Tensions

•Funding increasingly difficult

•Sustainability important – People or Profits •Can it be Done with Volunteers - Motivation •To Share or Not to Share

Conclusion

• This has a very quick run through 15 years of history

• It hasn’t been an easy process

• Our challenges now are just as great, if different

• Our Journey ContinuesWorking Towards a Shared and Better

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