Come and listen to local peacebuilders describe the work they actually do to encourage and develop better community relations.
Join us in a conversation with Dympna McGlade, Michael Doherty, David Robinson, and Gerard Deane, chaired by Allan Leonard.
You’ll learn that their backgrounds and career paths are rather varied, but all have demonstrated their professional and personal commitment to a reconciled future.
Ask them how they got involved in this vital work and what some of their highs and lows have been.
This conversation is part of the Northern Peacebuilders project, with podcast, at Shared Future News.
The event is supported by the Community Relations Council.
About Dympna McGlade: Dympna grew up during the civil rights campaign in Northern Ireland. After returning from studies in England, her first job in community relations was at Belfast City Council, working in Divis then Ardoyne and in Antrim. She was policy director at the Community Relations Council, motivated to bring evidence to policy-making as well as community development. Dympna continues to be a social justice activist in a voluntary capacity with a number of organisations.
About Michael Doherty: Michael’s first job was in a barbershop. Deciding not to become a barber, his story is a journey into youth work via music. He worked full-time as a community relations worker for the Northern Ireland Association Youth Clubs, now known as Youth Action. Michael, with others, designed the first-ever training programme for community relations work in 1988 and subsequently developed it further. His work in mediation was accelerated after an intensive course at Fordham Law School in 1996; the next year he was providing mediation services for the Parades Commission. Michael is passionate about the need to address sectarianism directly. He is currently based at Mediate Northern Ireland, in Derry/Londonderry.
About David Robinson: Raised in southern Ireland, David first became conscious of the fractured politics on the island during the hunger strikes. This sparked his interest in the history and political situation on the island and through becoming community aware, he became active in his local community in Bray, volunteering with youth projects and the parish. On leaving school, David applied to be a religious teacher and priest. He went the priestly route initially. During his time at the seminary he encountered Corrymeela, where he later spent four years, becoming a youth development worker there. In 2006, he began working for Belfast City Council, where he is currently a good relations officer.
About Gerard Deane: Gerard was born into the vocation of community relations, in that his father, Eamonn Deane, is known for his work in the Bogside Community Association and Youthways; he also established Holywell Trust. Gerard strongly values the role of building relationships and became committed to the place he grew up in. This included his decision to study peace and conflict studies for a degree at Ulster University at Magee. His objective for his work at Holywell Trust and with partner organisations is to be seen as a trusted broker to facilitate constructive conversations. Gerard has worked at Holywell Trust since 2004, where he is Director.
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