This event was funded by CRC's Community Relations/Cultural Diversity Scheme
Women’s Information NI (WINI) is a regional organisation which was established in May 1980 by women from across the North and West Belfast community divide. Some 38 years later, WINI continues to work across disadvantaged areas of greater Belfast. WINI has expanded its rural and regional work and now has over 1200 members bringing women together and building the capacity of grass roots women to take action for themselves. WINI has a good track record in the delivery of numerous peace building projects across NI.
Community conversations with women across Northern Ireland in the last five years have prioritised issues most affecting their positive well being, safety and security and the on-going development of a peaceful, inclusive and shared future for all.
At this conference women articulated these issues and the political panel had a short time to speak to how these issues were being addressed.
Project Aims:
- To hold a one day conference to provide further opportunities for women across NI to discuss current barriers to their full participation in peace building at grassroots level and to hear about issues still affecting community safety and relationship building in their communities.
Objectives:
- To provide direct access to key influential people and decision makers at political and funding levels
- To engage via question and answer opportunities and workshops to identify and discuss the main issues affecting women across NI
- To revisit and engage with all participants on the current barriers to full and active participation of women in public life.
- To prioritise the issues raised and identify best ways forward in addressing these issues and continue to improve women’s participation in peace building, community safety and public life.
Michelle Baird, CEO, WINI introduced the conference and Anne Carr, WINI Community Relations Co-ordinator kept the flowing and on time.
Speakers covered subjects ranging from austerity, restorative justice, women in public life, conflict resolution, the arts and environmental issues.
Siobhan Harding, Research and Policy Officer, Women's Support Network gave an overview of her research report on the impact of austerity on women.
Promoting and developing non violent responses
Debbie Hamill, Project Manager for South Belfast Alternatives, explained her work promoting and developing non violent responses to iss of crime and anti social behaviour.
Monica McWilliams, Member of the Independent Reporting Commission spoke of her experience of women in public life.
Mary Montague, Conflict Resolution Practitioner, former Director of Tides Training (who receive CRC Core Funding) talked about peacebuilding and the necessity of passing the baton to younger practitioners.
Nisha Tandon, Director of ArtsEkta described her work and the importance of the arts in bringing people together and exploring cultural identities.
The last speaker Rachel Woods, who is a climate campaigner and Green Party Councillor summarised her interests in community planning/development, the environment and equality issues.
Women (and one man) had some time to discuss the issues and bring their overarching concerns to a political panel who outlined their stands on the issues, this part of the conference was chaired by Bronagh Hinds.
One stand out performance at the conference was a young poet/singer/performer Alice McCullough, in her hands a famous folk song takes on a new meaning.