Ulster Project
KIPCOR has worked with the Hutchinson Ulster Project (since 2001) and the McPherson Ulster Project (since 2007), facilitating dialogue among Catholic and Protestant teens from Northern Ireland and the United States. These projects are part of Ulster Project International, whose purpose is to bring Northern Irish Protestant and Catholic youth to a strife-free atmosphere where reconciliation can be promoted by fostering understanding, tolerance and friendship. For example, in 2006, more than 250 Northern Irish teens were brought to 26 cities in the United States.
The Northern Irish teens are selected at an age when most are still too young to have committed themselves to any militant group. They are brought to the United States in July, which is the "marching season" in Northern Ireland when tensions between Protestant and Catholics are at their highest.
For the Hutchinson and McPherson projects, teens from Portadown, Northern Ireland, live for a month with host families who are matched by religion and the age and gender of the participating host teen. During their stay, the teens and families participate in a variety of activities designed to foster friendship and understanding.
KIPCOR's most important role in the local Ulster project is to facilitate The Time of Discovery: regular blocks of time set aside for reflection and introspection by the teens. The goal is to begin laying the groundwork of trust and friendship that will stand as buffers against the sectarian pressures the Northern Irish teens will face when they return home.
During The Time of Discovery (TOD), KIPCOR staff guide the youth through various experiential activities to explore the nature of prejudice and how to overcome it, the wonder and value of diversity and the power of open and ongoing dialogue. The TOD conflict intervention and reconciliation module developed by KIPCOR staff and consultants has been provided as a national model for other Ulster Projects.
