For the last number of years, the Intercomm Peace Building programme has sought to work with communities and constituencies in an effort to build trust and promote understanding between communities emerging from conflict and build on the values of equity, diversity and interdependence. The programme has initiated and facilitated dialogue on a range of diverse and sensitive issues among stakeholders primarily in the north of Belfast.

The Peace Building Programme, as a means of community empowerment, is a pioneering programme which intends to enhance peace building skills of community workers through informed discussion and debate, assessment of good practice and international experience of conflict resolution. It is an innovative venture combining workshops, seminars, skills training and field trips, with a vision to build capacity within the community for conflicts to be managed and resolved without violence in accordance with universally agreed standards and practices.

Delegation of North Belfast Community Workers
meets with TDs from the Dublin Parliament.
Organised by Intercomm.

The programme aims to give participants the tools and skills to understand and influence policy development on an all-Ireland basis and to engage in processes of peace and nation building. It aims to tie participants into the debates on the ‘bigger picture’ on policing, equality legislation, human rights legislation, structures of devolved governance, international experiences of conflict resolution, and reconciliation. To date, the Peace Building programme has provided over 50 learning opportunities in which more than 480 people from North Belfast have participated and it has been instrumental in providing a successful interface training and mentoring scheme.