MSCM Newsletter Summer 2013

Featured Article Undergraduates Learn About Peace & Conflict in Ireland Undergraduate students from across Georgia participated in the summer study abroad program for five weeks in beautiful Waterford, Ireland where I taught courses on International Relations, Peace & Conflict studies. Past trips to the region with MSCM students focused on N. Ireland where ‘ The Troubles’ between the descendants of colonizers (Protestant British) and the colonized (Catholic Irish) led to civil war and violent conflict for decades until the Good Friday Peace Accords led to a cease fire in 1998. This trip focused mostly on the Republic of Ireland, where we learned about the struggle for Irish independence that culminated in independence in 1922, followed by an 11-month civil war. We learned about the Father of the modern peace movement, Daniel O’Connell, who led the fight for Catholic Emancipation which resulted in increased political rights and representation for Catholics. His techniques of non-violent mass protest later inspired Ghandi and Martin Luther King, Jr. For the first time, I was in Belfast during the anniversary of the conquering of Ireland by William of Orange at the Battle of the Boyne (anniversary is July 12th). Members of the Orange Order and other Protestants celebrate this anniversary with bonfires, fireworks, and marches through both Protestant and Catholic neighborhoods. This year the marches sparked violent rioting and hundreds of extra soldiers had to be brought in from England to restore order. The violence is unfortunate as it drove tourists away during what should be the busiest part of tourist season in an area with high unemployment and a depressed economy.

The peace remains quite fragile in N. Ireland and there are fears that these annual parades could reignite the conflict. Peacemakers we met are continuing to hold cross-community dialogues (cross-community= Catholic/Protestant) to build understanding between groups who continue to live highly segregated lives.

While in Ireland our students interviewed locals to learn their perspectives on current political issues such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Snowden case, and the bugging of EU offices by the CIA which was revealed while we were there. Ireland provides a rich environment in which to learn about the impact of war and peacemaking on the lives of real people. I love learning side-by-side with students on these study abroad experiences.

The students from Cohort XIV can look forward to a wonderful learning experience as they prepare to depart for Ireland and N. Ireland this November, led by our Director, Sherrill Hayes.

Susan Raines