Rural Enabler Programme Rural Community Network

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Rural Enabler ProgrammeRural Community Network

• Ali McAllister

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Programme Approach

• Partnership approach at Strategic Level
• Partnership approach at county level
• Community Development approach at local level
• Rural defined areas

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Practicalities

• 12 County Enablers Northern Ireland border
  counties of Ireland
• 1 Institutional Enabler working with Orange
  Order, Gaelic Athletic Association, Young Farmers
  Clubs of Ulster, Macra na Feirme, Churches
• 12 County approach

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What does it bring to peacebuilding?

• Opportunity to challenge the myths still in place
  reinforced by single identity communities -
  separate schooling and housing
• Re-humanise sections of the community who felt
  they were necessarily insensitive to the other

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Why Cross Border?

• North is wild and dangerous place
• South is full of Catholic Republicans
• Are you a Fenian?
• You Apprentice Boys in the north are accepted,
  were not

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What has been gained?

• Young people have had chance to challenge their
  own inherited views
• Greater understanding of people in both areas
• Going to a new place to learn new things
• Sharing of learning

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Challenges Opportunities

• Influence of those who feel alienated and are not
  committed to the peace process
• Decade of anniversaries
• Commitment of those engaged in this process on an
  ongoing basis