Holywell launch new ‘Forward Thinking’ Project
Gerard Deane, Director of Holywell Trust said:
“We are excited to build on previous conversations we have facilitated at Holywell around this important issue. In particular we would invite those from the Protestant, Unionist and/ or Loyalist (PUL) community and perspectives, BAME communities, and also those who live in the border areas, to come to the launch and hear more about the project. This is an opportunity to expand the important constitutional debate through challenging, thought-provoking dialogue and exploration, and get into the nitty-gritty of the issues important to all of our citizens.”
This project will explore constitutional questions and issues from a wide range of perspectives. It will consider Northern Ireland in the global context, and involves examining other places also facing constitutional challenges.
Forward Thinking is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). It is funded through Derry City and Strabane District Council’s PEACEPLUS Local Co-Designed Action Plan, under the theme of Celebrating Cultural Diversity.
Holywell Trust will be inviting participants with diverse views and identities to take part in a series of seminars and workshops and contribute to this important discussion. These will be open to all to attend. We will also be running a recruitment exercise over the next couple of months to select participants to join us on study visits to Scotland and Catalonia and/ or the Basque Region to gain a greater understanding of the issues and complexities involved in the constitutional debates in those regions.
This is a great opportunity to hear first hand from those directly involved in the various campaigns and those impacted by constitutional decisions and challenges. The learning will help inform our thinking of the constitutional debate on these islands.
Speaking at the launch are Dr Daniel Cetrà and Lindsay McIntosh.
Dr Daniel Cetrà is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Barcelona. His research focuses on the comparative study of nationalism, constitutional debates, and secessionism, with a particular emphasis on Spain, the UK, and Belgium.
Lindsay McIntosh is the Head of News at the Sunday Times. She was formerly the Scottish Political Editor of the Times, where she ran the coverage of Scotland’s independence referendum. Lindsay also worked on the London newsdesk of The Times, and edited their Scottish edition.
Sara Duddy, Programme Manager said:
“Forward Thinking will explore the constitutional question here as well as drawing on international experiences of constitutional change and debate. This is an interesting time in the evolving conversation around the border, and participants will also be able to take a number of residential study visits which will explore political/ identity conflict and/ or historical divisions in other jurisdictions.”
Notes:
The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a North South Body with the statutory remit for managing EU funding programmes within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding Programme designed to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. The total value of PEACEPLUS is €1.14 billion.
PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.
The launch will take place on Thursday 26th June at 2pm in Holywell’s office. You can register here:
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