Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - Press Releases

26 November 2010

Segregation between Protestant/unionist and Catholic/nationalist communities is not confined to Belfast’s sectarian interfaces or ‘peacewalls’. It is also a prominent feature of many towns, villages and rural areas across Northern Ireland and along the border.

This is one of the findings of a research report published today by the Community Relations Council and the Rural Community Network. The report, ‘Beyond Belfast- Contested Spaces in Urban, Rural and Cross Border Settings’, was researched and written by John Bell and Neil Jarman of the Institute for Conflict Research together with Brian Harvey. The research set out to explore the physical legacy of division outside of Belfast and to review how the segregation is maintained and extended. It also makes recommendations for strategic work to be undertaken to tackle these issues.

The concept of ‘contested space’ is used to describe the situation where there is tension over access to public space in a largely segregated community. This can take many forms and can lead to conflict such as attacks on symbolic property such as Orange and GAA Halls, schools and churches, attacks on people and disputes over parades, flags and bonfires. The research found that barriers do exist in rural communities, although they may not be physical or visible, and that they have real effects in constraining and shaping the behaviour and attitudes of both individuals and communities.

The report is critical of the current piecemeal approach to addressing issues of segregation and division in rural communities and areas beyond Belfast. It recommends that the NI Executive develop a strategic framework that ensures that all Departments, District Councils and other statutory agencies undertake appropriate action. It also recommends that the issue of segregation and division on either side of the border should be considered and discussed by the North-South Ministerial Council.

Michael Hughes, Chief Executive of the Rural Community Network, said:

‘This publication goes some way to conceptualising and exploring the dynamics of segregation, division and community tensions in cities, towns and villages beyond Belfast. The production of this publication is only one strand of a much wider and more sustained work that needs to be carried out if we are to build a shared and equal society for all across the region.’

Duncan Morrow, Chief Executive of the Community Relations Council, said:

‘It is vital that we all find interactive, engaging and visionary ways of working within and across sectors and in communities, particularly during this difficult economic climate. The continued costs to our society of cyclical conflict because we can’t or won’t share cannot continue to be sustained if we are serious about creating vibrant urban and rural communities for all.’

For more information contact

Ray Mullan, CRC, 9022 7500 or email rmullan@nicrc.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

The report will be launched at Oxford Island , Craigavon, on Friday 26 November at 10.00 am
Duncan Morrow and Michael Hughes will be speakers at the launch together with report author Neil Jarman.
The report ‘Beyond Belfast- Contested Spaces in Urban, Rural and Cross Border Settings’ by John Bell and Neil Jarman of the Institute for Conflict Research and Brian Harvey is available free of charge from CRC and RCN. From Friday 26 November copies can be downloaded from the CRC websiteclick here or the RCN website www.ruralcommunitynetwork.org