The International Institute for Peace (IIP) cordially invites you to the upcoming book presentation and discussion on the topic:
“AND THE WALLS REMAIN THE SAME?” Local conflict in Northern Ireland in light of Brexit and the Irish border issue
Date: Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Time: 7:00 pm
Venue: International Institute for Peace,
Möllwaldplatz 5/II, 1040 Vienna, Austria,
Registration: https://www.iipvienna.com/registration/
Welcome:
· HANNES SWOBODA, President International Institute for Peace, former MEP
Moderation:
· STEPHANIE FENKART, Director, International Institute for Peac
Discussant
· BERT PREISS, Department of Political Science, University of Vienna
· MELANIE SULLY, Diplomatic Academy, Head of Go Governance, Vienna
Content:
The Belfast Peace Agreement on Good Friday 1998 marked the official end to three decades of armed conflict between the Protestant/Unionist/Loyalist and Catholic/Republican/ Nationalist communities in Northern Ireland. However, as shown, the efforts to local conflict transformation have born only limited fruit so far. In Belfast and other urban areas, sectarian tensions and violence still flare between deprived working-class interface communities, who remain divided by numerous ‘peace walls’. In light of Brexit, the Irish border issue and Northern Ireland’s power-sharing impasse the progress in local peacebuilding seems to have stalled. This might even jeopardize the overall peace process. Within this context, the author explores, largely empirically, the nature and causes of conflict at the interface. Moreover, an attempt is made to provide an outlook for peace in Northern Ireland and to highlight potential lessons for other conflict-ridden, divided societies.
In his presentation, Dr. Bert Preiss (Lecturer at the Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, and at the Centre for Southeast European Studies, University of Graz) will outline and summarize the main findings from his recently published book: Conflict at the Interface: Local Community Divisions and Hegemonic Forces in Northern Ireland. In particular, he will also discuss the potential implications of Brexit, the Irish border issue and Northern Ireland’s power-sharing impasse for the local and overall peace process with Prof. Dr. Melanie Sully (Head of Co-Governance, Diplomatic Academy Vienna), a distinguished expert on UK political affairs.
The Discussion will be held in English.
The IIP invites to snacks and drinks after the event!
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