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Ireland is divided. Most of
the northern part, called Northern Ireland, is part of the United
Kingdom. The southern part, called the Republic of Ireland, is an
independent country.
In Northern Ireland the majority of people wish to be part of the
United Kingdom. They are called Unionist and are mainly Protestant.
The minority want a unified Ireland. They are called Nationalist and
are mainly Catholic.
A crucial factor in Northern Ireland is the differential between the
Protestant majority and the Catholic minority. The demographic balance
is approximately 53% Protestant and 43% Catholic (N.I. Census 2005).
This situation of near equilibrium is unlikely to change in the foreseeable
future. It is therefore logical that, irrespective of which side is
the more powerful, or who governs Northern Ireland, the people of
Northern Ireland will have to learn to share the land peacefully.
Over the years there have been many attempts to bring about peace
in Northern Ireland. As each attempt failed, the vacuum was filled
by terrorist violence from the extreme elements of both traditions.
Between 1969 and 2007, over 3500 people lost their lives and countless
others were injured both physically and mentally as a direct result
of bigotry and sectarianism in Northern Ireland.
The focus of peacemaking attempts by successive United Kingdom, Irish
and international agencies has centred on a political settlement.
This was eventually successful in May 2007 with the establishment
of a power-sharing, locally elected Government.
However, other fundamental divisions exist in society in Northern
Ireland – there is segregation in housing, sport, the media
and crucially, education.
The reality of segregated education is that, in the main, Catholic
and Protestant children do not meet each other. Catholic children
attend Catholic schools and Protestant children attend state schools
which are mainly Protestant.
In Northern Ireland over 90% of all schools are either Catholic or
Protestant in ethos and practice.
We believe that, irrespective of shifts in power base and notwithstanding
the new political dispensation, unless the children in Northern Ireland
meet and learn about each other's traditions side-by-side at school,
the odds are against a peaceful and secure future in their own country
and the cyclical violence which has blighted this country will re-emerge.
We are committed, therefore, to helping parents who wish their children
to experience a shared schooling. |
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