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Programme Team and delivery partners host the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

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Work has been underway for a number of months now by the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee (NIAC) who are carrying out an inquiry into the effects of paramilitarism in Northern Ireland. The Programme’s then lead Minister gave evidence to the Committee as well as submitting written evidence.

 

NIAC Chair Simon Hoare MP addresses delivery partners from the Fresh Start Through Sport programme at Windsor Park

The Committee visited Northern Ireland and spent some time with projects that receive investment from the Programme. It gave them an opportunity to listen to those who deliver the initiatives and to talk to service users about the difference that the Programme has made.

 

Committee Chairman, Simon Hoare MP said: “It was valuable to see the work of various projects funded by the Programme during our time in Northern Ireland, and certainly helped our considerations on how to effectively tackle paramilitarism as part of our ongoing inquiry. It underlined the scale and range of paramilitary activity confirming we are dealing with child groomers, drug dealers, abusers and extortionists. They all need to be stamped out.”

Carrickfergus Neighbourhood police officers box clever to engage with young people

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Research shows that community confidence in policing is a key factor in addressing paramilitary control. This year, the programme has invested £145,000 to help improve long-term relationships between police and communities.


PSNI Neighbourhood Constable Richard Cull

One such project is a boxing programme in Carrickfergus aimed at addressing anti-social behaviour and paramilitary influence through sport and fitness.

We spoke to Neighbourhood Policing Officer Richard Cull who has been leading this initiative:  “Every Saturday night 20-30 young people aged between 10-18 years take part in a boxing session, with Neighbourhood Officers in attendance. Projects like this help us to develop relationships with these young people which helps to lower or even end offending before it begins, whilst encouraging those who may be vulnerable to criminal or paramilitary influence to make positive life choices.

 

“The young people seem to be really enjoying the project so far and it’s inspiring to see the change in some of them as the weeks progress.”

Programme Team takes part in global Human Rights Event

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Ohio State University’s Mershon Center for International Security Studies held a virtual conversation with Special Rapporteur Fionnuala D. Ní Aoláin about the role of human rights protection in the context of global counter-terrorism regulation.


Claire Hazelden, Research Analyst for the Programme said: “We were delighted to be part of this perceptive and thought-provoking conversation and to have the opportunity to provide insight from our own research into ending harm and addressing vulnerability. This ongoing partnership is an important part of how we share our data on ‘what works’ for people and communities in Northern Ireland, as well as continuing to hear from those engaged in innovative work across the world.”


The program was co-sponsored by the Mershon Center for International Security Studies, Corrymeela Community, Northern Ireland Executive’s Tackling Paramilitarism Programme, Ulster University, and the United States Institute of Peace.


Click below to watch the event recording.