Following an extended pastoral exchange with a clergyman in Manchester, Connecticut, Reverend Kerry Waterstone, a Church of Ireland (Anglican) clergyman, received a request from two congregations in that city asking him to formulate a plan in an effort to help ease the tensions in Northern Ireland.
After the experience of his own family in the United States, Kerry felt that the attitudes of teenagers from Northern Ireland might be changed if they could see & experience the American way of life. Specifically how people of different ethnic, racial and faith backgrounds had learned to live together in the ‘melting pot’ society. This he believed would influence the teenagers from Northern Ireland and lead them to become positive actors in their own communities upon their return home and as they grew up.
After the experience of his own family in the United States, Kerry felt that the attitudes of teenagers from Northern Ireland might be changed if they could see & experience the American way of life. Specifically how people of different ethnic, racial and faith backgrounds had learned to live together in the ‘melting pot’ society. This he believed would influence the teenagers from Northern Ireland and lead them to become positive actors in their own communities upon their return home and as they grew up.
After obtaining approval from church leaders, Canon Waterstone travelled across Northern Ireland to secure the cooperation of clergy willing to help in the implementation of his plan. Forming the original guideline for the project, he focussed on the prejudices and stereotypes, which went hand-in-hand with the politically motivated violence in Northern Ireland, known as “The Troubles”, with the population of Northern Ireland divided and largely segregated by their political ideology, and their perspective concerning Northern Ireland remaining part of the United Kingdom or breaking away and reuniting with the Republic of Ireland.
The Ulster Project began in 1975, and at one stage host families in 28 American cities welcomed teenagers from Northern Ireland. Most recently, the 2017 Ulster Project saw 12 groups from Northern Ireland travel to cities across the United States.
The Ulster Project began in 1975, and at one stage host families in 28 American cities welcomed teenagers from Northern Ireland. Most recently, the 2017 Ulster Project saw 12 groups from Northern Ireland travel to cities across the United States.
