Shakespeare assists in Belfast conflict resolution

Young people from the Shankill and New Lodge Roads are using Shakespeare and the performing arts to explore reconciliation and conflict resolution, thanks to monies from the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (PEACE II).

The grants of £135,700, which were awarded by the Youth Education and Social Inclusion Partnership (YESIP), have allowed the Educational Shakespeare Company to work with young people from disadvantaged and divided areas.

Founding member and Training and Development Officer Tom Magill said the project was making a difference to the young people who participate.

“Every year we take 12 young people from the Shankill and New Lodge and prepare them for Active Citizenship ASDAN Awards,” he said. “The young people we are dealing with are underachieving educationally and we can offer an alternative approach which emphasises learning by doing.

“An example of the way our programmes can help young people is the young woman from the New Lodge area who, before attending our after schools project had a school attendance record of 46%. After taking part her attendance rose to 99.5% - a dramatic change.”

Shaun Henry, Director of PEACE II added: “Helping young people reach their full potential and learn about those from other communities is an important part of promoting reconciliation.

“We need innovative programmes to reach these young people and I am pleased that the PEACE II Programme is able to fund such a original project.”

The Educational Shakespeare Company which runs the scheme was formed in 1999 in response to a need for practical Shakespeare workshops in Northern Ireland schools.

The Special EU Programmes Body is one of the six cross border organisations established under the Good Friday Agreement.

(MB/SP)