PJ project (Part 1) wraps in Northern Ireland
(Derry/Dungiven/Belfast, Northern Ireland)- A few random thoughts and observations as we wrap up part 1 of our peace journalism project in Northern Ireland. The project is sponsored by the US Embassy-London.
PJ problematic in NI
At my two concluding lectures last week at Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University in
Derry, attendees correctly pointed out the many obstacles to peace journalism starting with the name. The word peace, I was told, is loaded with baggage here, much of it negative. One journalist suggested calling PJ socially responsible journalism. I said they could call it bangers and mash if they like and that the principles and concepts are more important than the label. Regarding those principles, journalists at my lectures and workshops seemed to generally agree about their utility.
Underscoring this, another participant said that PJ is not that radical and it “nothing different than what we already aspire to.” That’s encouraging.
Survivor’s voices
I was privileged to attend a conference at Queen’s titled, “From Victims to Survivors: Voices from Below.” The keynote speaker, Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela from South Africa, spoke about Reparative Humanism. She said conflicted societies can move forward using a process of repair that is ongoing, open, and enriches all, in contrast to merely establishing forgiveness as an end point. This certainly seems true here as the struggle for positive peace continues 21 years after the Good Friday agreement.
Also, Dr. .John Brewer from Queen’s gave a thought-provoking presentation that illuminated his contention that conflict victims are moral beacons of peace for society. He must have met Jo Berry and Richard Moore (see previous post), who exemplify this principle. Dr. Brewer also discussed peacebuilding as a process involving the restoration of sociability.
Looking ahead
I’ll return to Northern Ireland in October for part 2 of our project sponsored by the US Embassy in London. In the fall, we’ll be meeting with students and journalists throughout Northern Ireland as we seek to expand the discussion about peace journalism/bangers and mash. I’m already looking forward to the challenge.
(Derry/Dungiven/Belfast, Northern Ireland)- A few random thoughts and observations as we wrap up part 1 of our peace journalism project in Northern Ireland. The project is sponsored by the US Embassy-London.
PJ problematic in NI
At my two concluding lectures last week at Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University in
 |
| Ulster Univ, Derry |
 |
| Journalists at Queen's Univ, Belfast |
Underscoring this, another participant said that PJ is not that radical and it “nothing different than what we already aspire to.” That’s encouraging.
Survivor’s voices
I was privileged to attend a conference at Queen’s titled, “From Victims to Survivors: Voices from Below.” The keynote speaker, Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela from South Africa, spoke about Reparative Humanism. She said conflicted societies can move forward using a process of repair that is ongoing, open, and enriches all, in contrast to merely establishing forgiveness as an end point. This certainly seems true here as the struggle for positive peace continues 21 years after the Good Friday agreement.
 |
| Dr. John Brewer (center) at "From Victims to Survivors" at Queen's Univ. |
Looking ahead
I’ll return to Northern Ireland in October for part 2 of our project sponsored by the US Embassy in London. In the fall, we’ll be meeting with students and journalists throughout Northern Ireland as we seek to expand the discussion about peace journalism/bangers and mash. I’m already looking forward to the challenge.
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