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Ireland is a country separated by culture, politics, and religion, which has been at war with itself for over 800 years. Since 1921, there have been two political units:
The REPUBLIC OF IRELAND is an independent nation predominantly native Irish and Catholic. It is currently going through an booming economy and is mostly peaceful.
NORTHERN IRELAND consists of six counties of the province of Ulster, which is located in the northeast corner of the island, and is still a part of the United Kingdom. It is here that the polarization of the two factions comes most sharply into the focus in the form of politically directed violence, tension, and self-isolation by cultural and religious communities.
Why an Ulster Project?
Catholic vs. Protestant
The terms "Catholic" and "Protestant", used in the context of Nothern Ireland, designate sides of a political conflict telescoped into religious terms rather than doctrinal controversy within the Christian Faith.
CATHOLIC there designates one who is of the indigenous Irish population. CATHOLIC refers to a member of a large minority once discriminated against in housing, employment, and opportunity. CATHOLIC means wishing to proserve the ancient Irish heritage and to unite Ireland outside of the United Kingdom.
PROTESTANT refers to those who, though their families may have lived in Northern Ireland for centuries, are labeled foreigners, loyal to their British roots. PROTESTANT refers to a member of the former ruling class, fearful of what the loss of their majority might mean. PROTESTANT means those who seek to preserve their ethnos by keeping Northern Ireland a part of the United Kingdom.
CATHOLIC there designates one who is of the indigenous Irish population. CATHOLIC refers to a member of a large minority once discriminated against in housing, employment, and opportunity. CATHOLIC means wishing to proserve the ancient Irish heritage and to unite Ireland outside of the United Kingdom.
PROTESTANT refers to those who, though their families may have lived in Northern Ireland for centuries, are labeled foreigners, loyal to their British roots. PROTESTANT refers to a member of the former ruling class, fearful of what the loss of their majority might mean. PROTESTANT means those who seek to preserve their ethnos by keeping Northern Ireland a part of the United Kingdom.
Why Now?
Exploitation of old animosities by militant radicals has so complicated the socio-political scene that was little hope of any just solution until the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. The "Catholic/Protestant" line is still such a barrier that "cross-community" contacts are quite limited. Despite the hopes raised by the 1998 agreement, there is no real political agreement, and tensions remain high. Violence is still regarded as a political tool by extremists on both sides. Acceptance of diversity and real peace have yet to come to Northern Ireland. The power-sharing government which came out of the 1998 agreement barely continues today and could fail at any time.
The teens who come from Northern Ireland as part of the Ulster Project are still from sub-communities where isolation and separation from "the others" is normal. In general, teenagers still do not make friends with those of a differing Christian tradition, except those who participate in cross-community programs such as the Ulster Project.
Clearly a need exists for the fostering of tolerance, understanding, and friendship between these groups. It is a direct response to this need that the Ulster Project was formed.
The teens who come from Northern Ireland as part of the Ulster Project are still from sub-communities where isolation and separation from "the others" is normal. In general, teenagers still do not make friends with those of a differing Christian tradition, except those who participate in cross-community programs such as the Ulster Project.
Clearly a need exists for the fostering of tolerance, understanding, and friendship between these groups. It is a direct response to this need that the Ulster Project was formed.