More RESPECT for good relations: The power of sport by Allan LEONARD for Shared Future News 29 November 2013 Londonderry YMCA, in partnership with the University of Ulster (Magee), held a conference to "raise awareness of the power of sport in building more peaceful, prosperous, healthy, inclusive and welcoming communities". Entitled "Sport for Development in … Continue reading More RESPECT for good relations: The power of sport
Platform for Change: Haass Talks. Discuss. by Allan LEONARD 25 November 2013 Platform for Change held an evening roundtable discussion event, to review the current status of the Haass talks, which are focusing on flags, parades and dealing with the past. The guest speakers were: Trevor Ringland (Discussant Chair) Reverend Lesley Carroll Dominic Bryan Peter … Continue reading Platform for Change – Haass Talks. Discuss.
Learning Together: NI21 Party Conference by Allan LEONARD for Shared Future News 16 November 2013 At the NI21 inaugural party conference at the Europa Hotel, I chaired a fringe meeting to explore how shared and integrated education could be increased in Northern Ireland, and what potential role NI21 could have here. The panellists were: Mark Baker … Continue reading Learning Together: NI21 party conference
Women: Dealing with the past: WRDA workshop by Allan LEONARD 12 November 2013 Well over 100 women participated in a workshop event on the topic of dealing with the past. Organised by the Women’s Resource & Development Agency (WRDA), there were summaries of previous workshops as well as keynote speeches from Reverend Dr Lesley Carroll … Continue reading Women: Dealing with the past: WRDA workshop
Thanks to an article published in British Airways’ in-flight magazine, High Life, I learned of a photo exhibition of the work of Jacques Lowe, who was a personal and professional photographer for John F. Kennedy. On display at the Proud Gallery, King James’s Street (Sloan Square), are a series of prints of JFK and other … Continue reading Review – Jacques Lowe: My Kennedy Years (Proud Gallery)
Reading this book was always going to have a special meaning to me, as my wife had a stroke about two years ago. Like James and Bev, my wife and I are writing a book together about our experience. We honestly came up with the same chapter layout as them — alternative narrations. In these types of … Continue reading Book review — Touching Distance (James Cracknell)
Jobs and freedom for Northern Ireland: MLK march 50th anniversary by Allan LEONARD for Shared Future News 28 August 2013 Sponsored by the US Consulate Belfast, the Washington-Ireland Programme and Politics Plus, Chris Lyttle MLA hosted a remembrance event at Parliament Buildings for the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, … Continue reading Jobs and freedom for Northern Ireland: MLK march 50th anniversary
The fate of peace: President Obama in Northern Ireland by Allan LEONARD for Shared Future News 17 June 2013 My marriage is a transatlantic union between a Midwesterner and a Belfast-born Northern Irishwoman. Fittingly, my wife and I were delighted to receive tickets to hear another Midwesterner, President Barack Obama, at Belfast's Waterfront Hall. With … Continue reading The fate of peace – President Obama in Northern Ireland
Earlier this week, Madame Oui (aka my awesome wife Beverley) went up to Parliament Buildings to address a group of MLAs at the Northern Ireland Assembly. It was a very positive and constructive meeting, resulting in some agreed steps forward (next stop: the Assembly’s Health Committee). Beverley later remarked, “I’ve become a campaigner!” And one … Continue reading Integrate emotional support says stroke survivor
In September 2012, peace talks were announced between the Colombian Government and the guerrilla group FARC. There have been several rounds of negotiation, now taking place in Havana, Cuba. INCORE at the University of Ulster saw a potential in investigating the lessons, good and bad, from the Northern Ireland peace process, in this 15th anniversary … Continue reading Derry proposals for Colombian peace
Expressing identity, addressing division: CRC policy conference 2013 by Allan LEONARD 20 May 2013 This year’s annual policy conference of the Community Relations Council (CRC) was held in Derry-Londonderry, a fresh change from the usual Belfast venues. Indeed, the Maiden City has demonstrated leadership in community relations for many years. In his introductory remarks, outgoing … Continue reading Expressing identity, addressing division: CRC policy conference 2013
To mark its 30th anniversary, Belfast Exposed has organised an extensive exhibition of photographic work, displayed both at its premises on Donegall Street as well as at The MAC. The exhibition -- Northern Ireland: 30 Years of Photography -- "focuses on the growth of new, fine art documentary practices, more often produced for the gallery … Continue reading Northern Ireland: 30 Years of Photography. Discuss.
