Political Dialogue Workshops in
the Northern Ireland Peace Process

GEOFFRY CORRY

ABSTRACT

Country:
Ireland

Language:
English

Session description Between the start of the ceasefire in 1994 and the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement in 1999, over thirty residential political dialogue workshops were organised by the Glencree Centre for Reconciliation with politicians involved in the Northern Ireland peace process. This ongoing behind-the-scenes work rebuilt trust and political relationships between the political parties at sub-leadership level. Networking opportunities were opened up between the workshops in times of crisis. The workshop methodology, structure and goals will be discussed and the dynamics of the dialogue process will be demonstrated. Comparisons will be made with other situations including Kelman's problem solving workshops in the Middle East.

Facilitation Leader of the political dialogue workshops at the Glencree Centre for Reconciliation in Ireland. He is a professional mediator for family, business/workplace and multi-party environmental disputes. He is chairperson of the Mediators Institute Ireland.