socialgandhi

“We have a once in a lifetime chance to put sectarianism behind us. The promise of peace is to change the conversation about the future. But there is a real risk that we are dangerously complacent about division.  We risk allowing sectarianism to define life here for the next generation and beyond”.

This warning last week from Dr Duncan Morrow, Chief Executive of the Community Relations Council (CRC) at the launch of Community Relations Week comes at a time when cuts are being made by the Department of Education to spending on community relations youth work. The challenge for us all is that young people who weren’t even born when the Troubles finished will repeat sectarian attitudes and behaviour”.

On May 6, we have to choose whether Northern Ireland continues to be defined by historical divisions rather than by the opportunities of the future.

Dr Morrow said, “Frankly, as a society, we are too complacent about segregation. There are as many peace lines as there were before the Good Friday Agreement. Communities are crying out for support in breaking the cycle of sectarianism and violence among young people.  Yet at the very moment when we need to be normalising a culture of interaction and equality we are savagely reducing all public support for schools and youth work in this area. This is vitally important work which is intended to build the capacity of young people to create a shared future.  Young people want a new conversation, not to be forced back into the same lines as the past. Tackling sectarianism, racism and segregation in our society has to be a priority in building a better, shared future to which the Executive parties committed in the programme for government; young people in particular are our investment in shaping this future.

Congratulations to everyone who was involved in, or supported more than 150 events across Northern Ireland, organised by community and voluntary organisations, local councils and public bodies.

If any of our politicians call at your door over the next few days, as no doubt they will, ask them about how they are going to make sure that secterianism isn’t the choice of a new generation. And let us know what they say.