Testimonials |
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Eliza The two-day mediation session that we had with Sean O’Baoill was one of the most exciting academic experiences I’ve had here so far. The explanation of the psychology behind ideological differences was extremely valuable for me coming to Belfast and attempting to understand the real roots of the Sectarian conflict. It helped me to delve deeper into surface prejudice and stereotypes. All of Sean’s advice and information was invaluable and necessary, and helped me to articulate the aspects of communication theory I had previously learned and was struggling to apply to Northern Ireland. Sean then went on to describe a case example of conflict transformation on a tangible, and practical level, and I found it incredibly inspiring. Newry and Mourne District Council Annalong Safer Halloween Initiative Dear Mr O Baoill The members of Newry and Mourne District Council have asked me to pass on their sincere congratulations to you and your group on the organisation of the very successful Halloween Celebrations held in your area. Members referred to the funding made available to groups by the community Safety Partnership and they said that as a result of activities organised there had been a tremendous change of attitude throughout the District. May I take this opportunity to wish your group continued success in organising future events. Yours Sincerely Councillor Mick Murphy Mayor of Newry and Mourne District Council Tim Our lectures with Sean O’Baoill were extremely helpful in creating a foundation for me of the areas we were in as well as how they go about conflict resolution. He demonstrated some of the intricacies there are in dealing with resolution and peace talks. One interaction required trusting that the group you were playing against would follow through with the arranged plan; but, lo and behold, there almost always will be a group that seeks to win--even at the expense of the arrangement. Hallie Sean was an incredibly stimulating lecturer whom I would have loved to have more time with. He also introduced mediation on the communal level, and the concept of rehumanizing the opposition. This was where something clicked for me. The process of “othering” neighbors being broken down to accepting each other’s differences. Ali We spent our first two days with Sean O’Baoill. He explained mediation in his own practice of it, including an example of grass roots peace building which is a bottom up approach to taking on a conflict and transforming it. Our time with Joint Ventures was informative, fun, and an experience I will not soon forget. I gained a wider view of both the conflict as it has affected Belfast and mediation techniques. I acquired knowledge about who I am, how I fit into a group dynamic and effects of small scale conflict on my own personality. We were looking inward at ourselves, while simultaneously looking outward at Belfast and Northern Ireland. Sean has contagious enthusiasm for what he does and a kind of energy that gets everyone in the room engaged in what we are doing. Paul Hi Sean, It has been a wonderful experience being trained by two highly professional people as you and Laurie. Equally it has been really good to participate alongside the other course members, who each bring their unique experiences and knowledge to group. David In response to a serious increase in tensions and concerns arising in the village over Halloween 2006 a steering group was set up for Annalong/Mullartown as a community safety initiative in an attempt to create a safer and more inclusive environment in the area. This initiative involved concerned members of the local community and Newry and Mourne Community Safety Partnership, in consultation with Joint Ventures. In 2007, this initiative resulted in people from the local community stewarding the area around the Annalong River and the footbridge by the Mill over the Halloween period in order to engage young people who were enjoying the festive atmosphere, and to intervene where necessary in an attempt to ensure a safer and inclusive environment. The work was observed by independent monitors who took note of events as they happened and produced a report on their observations. Although this did result in a calmer Halloween all round, many lessons were also learned in the process. Between 2007- |
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