NI Peace Monitoring Report #5 published

Peace Monitoring Report Five highlights critical peace process issues at a key time for Northern Ireland.

The fifth Peace Monitoring Report has been published by the Community Relations Council, written independently by a team of academics based at Ulster University led by Professor Gillian Robinson, and funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust.

The report has been informed by an advisory group made up of leading academics and practitioners across many policy areas and disciplines, chaired by Emeritus Professor Adrian Guelke, Queens University.

The Peace Monitoring Report uses already published information and data to summarise key issues related to the building of peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.  It is intended as a useful tool and resource for those working at the coalface, in the public and political sectors.

Key issues considered in this, the latest Peace Monitoring Report (fifth in the series), include:

  • The potential impact of Brexit and its effect on community relations;
  • Lack of progress in key social justice and social policy areas;
  • Reflections on important peace process structural issues such as PSNI representativeness after the ending of 50-50 recruitment;
  • Continued segregation and challenges in recent years to policy on shared housing and shared education;
  • Continuing impact of the lack of a Northern Ireland Executive and working Assembly.

One of the report authors, Professor Gillian Robinson, from Ulster University said:

“The Peace Monitoring Report reviews the critical social, economic, peace building and reconciliation issues in Northern Ireland 2016-2018.  We hope the report talks to this time and that it constructively summarises the issues.  It is hoped that it will be used as a tool for thinking through the complex challenges ahead.” 

The chair of the Peace Monitoring Advisory Group, Professor Adrian Guelke, said:

“Any exploration of policy and practice needs should be based on fact and robust analysis.  This type of academic analysis, on a broad sweep of public policy areas, provides an important lens for policymakers and practitioners.  It is especially valuable in the challenging times Northern Ireland currently faces.  I am proud to be associated with the Peace Monitoring Report and wish to congratulate the UU team on their report and to thank all of the advisory group members for their time and wisdom”

The chair of the Community Relations Council, Peter Osborne, said:

“We must understand there is no inevitable forward flow to our peace process.  It needs constant work and complacency is its worst enemy during this period of uncertainty.  It is an important time for Northern Ireland and we hope this report will feed in constructively and positively to the critical thinking needed about the way forward.”

Read the report

View a summary of the 10 key points

Further information

Dr Ann Marie Gray, Ulster University: 07748 064 620

Peter Osborne, CRC: 07803 717 930