Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - News - Grassroots leadership in the Unionists/Protestant community…withered or blooming

19 January 2007

With the death of David Ervine, some observers have commented that leadership in the Protestant / unionist / loyalist community is facing one of its toughest challenges yet. Last November, a Beyond the Box seminar addressed this issue under the title: ‘Where there is no vision…leadership in the Protestant/Unionist community’. At this seminar, David Ervine and Liam Clarke questioned the vision behind and the nature of political leadership in the Protestant/Unionist community. These are hard questions that need to be addressed if Northern Ireland is to move forward. Yet, leadership is not the privilege of the political elites. It is exercised in different ways at every level of our society and community life in Northern Ireland. Community leadership has a powerful influence in shaping the nature of cross-community relations. It is a vital part of wellbeing.

‘BEYOND THE BOX’ seminar

‘Grassroot Leadership in the Protestant/Unionist community…withered or blooming?’

Venue: The Junction, 8 Bishop Street, Derry/Londonderry

Date: Tuesday, 23 January 2007

Time: 10.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.

With the death of David Ervine, some observers have commented that leadership in the Protestant / unionist / loyalist community is facing one of its toughest challenges yet. Last November, a Beyond the Box seminar addressed this issue under the title: ‘Where there is no vision…leadership in the Protestant/Unionist community’. At this seminar, David Ervine and Liam Clarke questioned the vision behind and the nature of political leadership in the Protestant/Unionist community. These are hard questions that need to be addressed if Northern Ireland is to move forward. Yet, leadership is not the privilege of the political elites. It is exercised in different ways at every level of our society and community life in Northern Ireland. Community leadership has a powerful influence in shaping the nature of cross-community relations. It is a vital part of wellbeing.

This is why the next Beyond the Box seminar taking place at The Junction on 23 January will be asking a crucial question: ‘Grassroots leadership in the Unionists/Protestant community…withered or blooming?’.

At this session,David Stevens of the Corrymeela Community andMargaret Lee of The Cresco Trust Ltd will suggest answers to the following:

What is the level of (political) engagement of civil society within the Protestant community at present?
What are the key needs of the Protestant community at grassroots / community level?
What is the state of leadership and activism within the Protestant community at community and local church level?
What are the challenges both personally and communally for grassroots leadership in the Protestant community?

The Beyond the Box forums are a common initiative of The Junction and The Hard Gospel Project. They aim at addressing the hard issues in today’s Northern Ireland and to enable new and creative thinking that goes beyond the predictable.

The seminar is open to all and is free. A light lunch will be provided.

To confirm your attendance, contact: Audrey Guichon at 028 1736 1942 or aguichon@thejunction-ni.org