A 'Shared Future' for Northern Ireland: Some Observations on Recent Policy Developments

Abstract

In 2002 Government in Northern Ireland initiated the first major review of its community relations policy agenda. After a lengthy period of consultation a new Policy and Strategic Framework for Good Relations, entitled 'A Shared Future', was issued in March 2005. This paper considers the Shared Future document against criticisms that have been levelled at previous Government policy efforts to tackle the problem of inter-group division in Northern Ireland. It argues that whilst 'Shared Future' offers a vision of a 'peaceful, inclusive, prosperous, stable and fair society' founded on the achievement of reconciliation (p.3), many questions remain as to how these very laudable objectives will be achieved. The paper begins with a review of the policy context and an overview of the central tenets of the Shared Future document, this is followed by an analysis of how the new policy framework contributes to current thinking and approaches to resolving inter-group conflict. Drawing on an illustrative example from the experience of integrated education in Northern Ireland, the final section presents tensions and weaknesses in the document which, if unresolved, could militate against the potential to deliver the type of society envisaged.