Single identity
work, within a conflict resolution context, may be defined as work
that engages a group of common identity within a divided society,
hence in Northern Ireland, groups of either Protestants or Catholics.
It aims to increase confidence in order to allow initiatives on a
cross-community level to develop. Hence it is part of an inclusive
process.
Single identity work questions the assumption of mutual understanding work,
that lack of contact with the 'other' limits political cooperation. Indeed
it has come to be recognised that work focusing on difference is likely to
be limited unless work designed to facilitate discussion within individual
communities is carried out first. Hence in order to address fears, suspicions
and concerns it may be necessary to first develop single identity projects.
Single
identity work, within a conflict resolution context, may be defined
as work that engages a group of common identity within a divided
society. It aims to increase confidence in order to allow initiatives
on a cross-community level to develop. Hence it is part of an inclusive
process.
The
single identity stream of LILP began with a three-hour workshop held
at UNU/INCORE, Derry/Londonderry on 10th April 2001. At this meeting
it was decided that it would be valuable to have a second such meeting,
which was subsequently facilitated at the WEA in Belfast on 2nd May
2001.
Following on from these conversations LILP facilitated a visit to Northern
Ireland by the Israeli/Palestine
Centre for Research and Information (IPCRI). IPCRI is involved in uni-national
work, which has many parallels with the single identity experience in Northern
Ireland. for a detailed outline see IPCRI's paper on Uni-National Work
For
an outline of the major challenges and questions that arose during
the LILP stream please see the related publication, an
Occasional Paper entitled Single
Identity Work, by Cheyanne Church and Anna Visser, which is available
online and in hard copy from INCORE.
