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"the path to peace... a project for civic involvement"

. •Experience internship opportunities and seminars with Irish students •Focus will be social and economic issues, and conflict resolution •Hands-on experience in Northern Ireland schools and communities working for social change •Full-semester of academic credit at your home institution •Ideal for college students of peace and justice, sociology, political science, social sciences, history and philosophy

“Whatever the outcome of current political developments in Northern Ireland,
it is clear that democratic politics offers the most viable alternative to violence as a means of resolving political differences. Education has a long-term role in promoting the values, skills and knowledge that will sustain democratic politics for future generations.”

– Professor Alan Smith, UNESCO Programme

Northern Ireland: Democracy and Social Change

Spring Semester, 2002 (February - May)

This innovative study program examines the historical, political and religious roots of the conflict in Northern Ireland, the prospects for peace and the progress being made. Multiple perspectives will help students to explore how this society is evolving and to analyze the cultural traditions and resources available for building a new democracy.

Seminar themes will explore theoretical approaches to understanding conflict and its transformation and the processes underway in Northern Ireland to create a stable democracy. Students will examine various perspectives of democracy and citizenship. Field seminars that focus on human rights, conflict transformation and education for democracy will help students see in action the tools used to transform conflict. An internship allows students to be directly involved in efforts of education, democratization, peace and justice. Students also will have an opportunity to focus on an independent study project.

The program is housed with the UNESCO (United Nations Education Cultural and Scientific Organization) Programme at the University of Ulster in Coleraine, Northern Ireland. This program is recognized as a flagship in Northern Ireland for its innovative action research and program development in areas of pluralism, human rights and democracy. The University of Ulster is the designated United Nations University for the study of conflict, attracting scholars and students worldwide. This setting provides a wealth of resources to support the learning experience of HECUA students. Students will interact with a variety of scholars and colleagues at the UNESCO Programme and the University of Ulster.

Program Format
You will learn through readings, lectures, discussions, internships, independent study projects and field experiences that invite interaction with people involved in social change. Program includes two seminar courses: Building a Sustainable Democracy and Politics of Conflict and Transformation, as well as a 20-hour per week internship and an extended field excursion to visit the Glencree Centre for Reconciliation in the Republic of Ireland.

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Program Faculty and Staff
Lorraine Heffernan, program director and primary faculty. Ms. Heffernan holds a B.A. in European Studies, a M.A. Peace and Conflict Studies, and is currently pursuing a M. Phil/D.Phil, from the University of Ulster. Her teaching experience includes the design and facilitation of workshops and training courses in conflict transformation and mediation. She works with the UNESCO Programme focusing on action-research and curriculum development for citizenship education in public schools. She also is involved in an international seminar on Youth and Civic Participation.

Professor Alan Smith, special resource person, UNESCO Chair in Education for Pluralism, Human Rights and Democracy and senior research fellow in the University of Ulster’s School of Education. His work addresses such issues as: education for pluralism, human rights and democracy, education systems and social change, education and social cohesion, education and the conflict in Northern Ireland, and education for mutual understanding and citizenship.

Students also learn from a wide variety of guest resource persons throughout the semester.

“It is imperative that young people are involved in political processes in Northern Ireland. We have the responsibility to instill in them a sense of civic ownership and the ability to effect change without violence. A democratic and peaceful future lies within the grasp of our youth.”

Lorraine Heffernan, Northern Ireland Program Director

Internships that make a difference

Each student will choose an internship from a variety of options that are based on individual academic and career interests. Some organizations are grassroots with local focus while others are international concerns in scope. Opportunities include:

Public Achievement Northern Ireland
Young people, with the support of a “coach,” undertake a project of their own choosing and design that teaches public skills and benefits the community. Interns will work with Northern Ireland youth and Public Achievement coaches to undertake projects like school reform, prevention of violence and sectarian bullying, or creating community centers.

School of Education, UNESCO Programme, University of Ulster
The School of Education at the University of Ulster carries out a wide-ranging program of research, development and training to promote education for pluralism, human rights and democracy on local, national and international levels. Intern will assist and support national and international programs that work toward pluralism, human rights and democracy.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
Established by the Northern Ireland Act of 1998, the Commission aims to ensure that the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland are fully protected in law, practice and policy. The intern will support young people and human rights through various efforts to implement the Bill of Rights.

Amnesty International
This organization promotes awareness of the values contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other internationally agreed-upon standards of human rights. The organization encourages people to accept that all human rights must be protected. Based in the heart of Belfast, the intern will aid the organization on a number of local and global issues within the education sector.

Spirit of Enniskillen
This program encourages young people to broaden their horizons by traveling to other countries experiencing community divisions, where they gain first-hand experience of how diverse people are learning to live together. Upon their return, participants reflect on and promote the principles of equity and interdependence between all communities. An intern will facilitate training and debriefing for these international exchanges.

Northern Ireland Assembly
Established as part of the Belfast Agreement, the Assembly has full legislative and executive authority in respect to government departments of Agriculture, Economic Development, Education, Environment, Finance and Personnel and Health & Social Services. The intern will have the opportunity to work in the office of a Member of the Legislative Assembly.

Schedule

Arrival: January 31, 2002
Orientation Retreat ( at Corymeela): February 1-3, 2002
First Day of Class: February 4, 2002
Last Day of Class: May17, 2002
Departure: May 18, 2002
Program dates are subject to change and will vary slightly each year.

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Program Logistics

Housing and meals
HECUA students live in a student village near the campus of the University of Ulster and share living space with other students. Two or more homestays are arranged during the term. Students receive a monthly food stipend to buy and cook their own food.

Class locations
The primary location for classes is the University of Ulster in Belfast with field study in selected regions of Northern Ireland.

Transportation
Students will use public transportation to get to and from class. Field trips will be by chartered bus.

Cost
$9,900 comprehensive fee (Spring, 2002), with $500 additional charge for students from non-member schools. Covers tuition, lodging, food and ground transportation for field trips. Excludes international airfare, books, passport, visa and personal expenses. Financial aid may be used for the program, to be arranged with your financial aid or study abroad office.

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How to Enroll

Prerequisites
• Completion of first year college
• Open to all majors

Credits
The program awards 4 course credits (equivalent to 16 semester hours or 27 trimester credits). All students participate in full program. For the purpose of credit distribution, the courses are as follows:
Northern Ireland: Building a Sustainable Democracy (4 credits)
Politics of Conflict and Transformation (4 credits)
Internship Placement & Seminar (8 credits)

To Apply
Request an application form from HECUA or download one directly from this site. Your campus representative also has applications.

Application deadline: December 1
Apply early, as program may fill before the deadline. Late applications accepted on a space-available basis.HECUA reserves the right to make any necessary program or location changes.

HECUA reserves the right to make
any necessary program or location changes.

Copyright (c) 2001 Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs, Inc. All rights reserved.
Rev. 3/22/01