Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - Services - Community Relations Groups - Irish Association for Cultural, Economic and Social Relations

Contact: Professor Pauline Murphy

120 Harberton Park

Tel: 00

Status of organisation:

Number of staff:

Aims and Objectives

The main aim of the Irish Association continues to be 'the promotion of communication, understanding, and co-operation between all the people of Ireland both North and South'. In order to achieve this aim, the Association has put in place a strategy designed to maximise the opportunities for debate, dialogue and co-operation amongst the people's of Ireland.

Projects and Activities

The Association's extensive programme of activities operates under three main headings:
Political dialogue - the promotion of more political dialogue through a series of seminars and conferences enabling politicians from all parties to debate freely even the most contentious issues.
Social and Economic Affairs - detailed examination of the more immediate common problems and opportunities which transcend and yet influence political discussions. Again seminars and conferences are the main vehicles for examining these areas.
Cultural and religious heritage - the pursuit of mutual understanding of the different strands of cultural and religious tradition on the island, through conferences, lectures, open debates, exhibitions, theatre sponsorship and publications.