Engaging young people with conflict through the narratives of former combatants in Northern Ireland

Engaging young people with conflict through the narratives of former combatants in Northern Ireland

Lesley Emerson, Queen’s University Belfast

In this seminar, Lesley Emerson, of Queen’s University Belfast will present her recent paper, “Engaging young people with conflict through the narratives of former combatants in Northern Ireland.”

The aim of this paper is to discuss findings from an impact evaluation of a curriculum programme designed to engage young people directly with ‘conflict’ though the narratives of former ‘paramilitary’ combatants in Northern Ireland. The programme seeks to develop within young people an understanding of the nature, reality and complexity of conflict and transition to peace. In particular it seeks to engender a sense of ‘political generosity’, that is a confidence in young people in their own political/cultural identity alongside a respect for the rights of others to hold alternative political views.

The research suggests that foregrounding the nature of conflict and the processes of conflict transformation in the curriculum, through the narratives of those who were directly involved in conflict (arguably the most contentious ‘voices’), has a positive impact on young people. Further it suggests that addressing the nature of conflict through first-hand accounts assist young people in making sense of their current socio-political context, thereby challenging their previous stereotypical and prejudiced views of the ‘other’ community.