Articles published at Mr Ulster: http://mrulster.com
Free press crucial for transformative justice in Venezuela: a talk with Luis Carlos Díaz by Allan LEONARD 30 October 2023 Luis Carlos Díaz, an accomplished journalist from Venezuela and deemed a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, was a guest keynote speaker at an event organised by the International Conflict Research Institute (INCORE) at Ulster … Continue reading Free press crucial for transformative justice in Venezuela: a talk with Luis Carlos Díaz
‘Don’t get used as a propagandist’: visual storytelling of Ulster’s loyalist community by Allan LEONARD 19 October 2023 As part of its two exhibitions, “Not Surrendering” by Mariusz Smiejek and “No Surrender: The Protestants” by Ed Kashi, and to celebrate the launch of Smiejek’s book, Belfast Exposed hosted an artist talk with both photographers, facilitated … Continue reading ‘Don’t get used as a propagandist’: visual storytelling of Ulster’s loyalist community
Book Review — The Working Mind and Drawing Hand of Oliver Jeffers by Allan LEONARD 17 October 2023 Oliver Jeffers is known for his charmingly illustrated children’s books, with a sense of play and wonder. He is less known for his fine art work, which is arguably underappreciated. This included me, and as Jeffers himself … Continue reading Book Review — The Working Mind and Drawing Hand of Oliver Jeffers
GRACE: measuring trust for better community relations by Allan LEONARD 21 September 2023 On the International Day of Peace, as part of Good Relations Week, research undertaken through a partnership between the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations (Coventry University) and Community Relations in Schools (CRIS) was launched. The research examines the role of … Continue reading GRACE: measuring trust for better community relations
‘Building anew’: sharing lessons of transition in Germany and Ireland by Allan LEONARD 4 October 2023 A conference to mark Germany Unity Day was held at the Royal Irish Academy, co-hosted by ARINS (Analysing and Researching Ireland, North and South), Maynooth University, and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Dublin. Two panel … Continue reading ‘Building anew’: sharing lessons of transition in Germany and Ireland
Addressing the evil of sectarianism: Bill Shaw on life, faith, and hope by Allan LEONARD 20 September 2023 The retreat and conference centre run by the Passionate community, Tobar Mhuire, was the venue for a guided interview with Bill Shaw, presented as an opportunity “to explore their experience of life, faith, and where they find … Continue reading Addressing the evil of sectarianism: Bill Shaw on life, faith, and hope
Constructive journalism is ‘pressing, urgent, and needed everywhere’: inaugural B° Future Festival by Allan LEONARD 15 September 2023 The Bonn Institute hosted an inaugural, two-day B° Future Festival for journalism and constructive dialogue, held in the city’s LVR LandesMuseum. The first day for registered delegates was conducted mainly in English and discussed various dimensions of … Continue reading Constructive journalism is ‘pressing, urgent, and needed everywhere’: inaugural B° Future Festival
Being churches together: celebrating a reconciling vision of hope by Allan LEONARD 7 September 2023 A “Being Churches together in 21st Century Ireland” symposium took place at Dublin City University (DCU), as part of a number of events marking the centenary of the Irish Council of Churches (ICC) and 50 years since the Ballymascanlon talks … Continue reading Being churches together: celebrating a reconciling vision of hope
A celebration of unionist culture by Allan LEONARD 31 March 2023 A showcase day of unionist culture was held at 2 Royal Avenue, Belfast, with activities of a cultural identity video; a “living library” event; a talk by historian and broadcaster, Dr David Hume; an exhibition of archival footage by NI Screen of cultural events; … Continue reading A celebration of unionist culture
The impermanence of land and legacy by Allan LEONARD 26 July 2023 Impermanence is a collection of essays by writers from or living in Northern Ireland. Its co-editor, Neil Hegarty led a discussion at a John Hewitt International Summer School event, with contributors Jan Carson, Susan McKay, and Nandi Jola, reflecting upon the book’s themes … Continue reading The impermanence of land and legacy
GFA and Windsor Framework ‘tributes to complexity’: McDonagh at JHISS by Allan LEONARD 24 July 2003 At the opening address of this year’s John Hewitt International Summer School in Armagh, Bobby McDonagh, former Irish Ambassador to the UK and Permanent Representative to the EU, explored themes of the nature of identity, the beauty of complexity, … Continue reading GFA and Windsor Framework ‘tributes to complexity’: McDonagh at JHISS
Opsahl Commission 30th anniversary: ‘civic poetry’ still yielding insights by Allan LEONARD 4 July 2023 Laurence Simms (joint secretary of the British-Irish Secretariat) hosted a reception to mark the 30th anniversary of the Opsahl Commission, which invited and gathered oral and written submissions from individuals and civil society organisations about their suggestions for the way … Continue reading Opsahl Commission 30th anniversary: ‘civic poetry’ still yielding insights
