Issues, external bodies, Reconciliation Forum

Dealing with Society Issues

As mentioned in the Introduction to this Chapter, the Commission would, in the first strand of its work, identify areas of activity to address society issues arising from the conflict. Acting through its Chair it would work with other partners, particularly the CVSNI, to ensure proper coordination of activities. The Chair would thus play an active role in promoting cross-sectoral activity to tackle the legacy of the conflict in society. This would include:

- addressing sectarianism;

- promoting remembering activities (including storytelling, memorialising and a day of reflection) at both an individual and community level;

- working with young people so that they are provided with the skills necessary to ensure there is no repeat of the past, including through education programmes, to inform young people, in a balanced way, about the nature and impact of the conflict;

- providing improved services to meet healthcare needs attributable to the conflict, including dealing with trauma, suicide and addiction issues;

- ensuring that the economic benefits experienced across post-conflict Northern Ireland are equally experienced in deprived areas; and

- ensuring that any of those exiled from Northern Ireland during the conflict can return, if it is their desire to do so, including through the development of a repatriation programme.

Relationship with Other Bodies

The Chair of the Commission would not assume operational responsibility for tackling these society issues but rather would have an oversight role. There are many departments, statutory agencies and non-Governmental organisations which have a part to play. The Commission should have a statutory duty to work closely with these bodies including the OFMDFM, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, the CVSNI and the Community Relations Council for Northern Ireland (CRC).

From discussions with the CVSNI, it is clear that they intend to develop their work programme in a way which will enable many of these issues to be taken forward, not just from the perspective of victims and survivors but also from a society wide perspective. The Group welcomes this broad interpretation of their role. The CVSNI are well placed to take the lead on many of the issues and to assist in respect of the other issues that they have an interest in. The Chair of the Commission should seek to ensure that the CVSNI are empowered to take on this wider interpretation of their role.

The Reconciliation Forum

The Group recommends that the CVSNI take responsibility for convening a Reconciliation Forum of which the Chair of the Legacy Commission should be a key member. As well as the CVSNI and the Chair of the Commission, the CRC should be invited to sit on the Forum. Consideration should also be given to inviting other bodies or groups to specific meetings of the Forum, as merited by the issues under consideration.

The Forum should develop terms of reference taking account of the respective statutory duties of the members, but its function should, in respect of the issues detailed in this Chapter, be to:

- analyse the activity that is undertaken to address the issues;

- consider the need for further activity, including the need to address any gaps, and, drawing on the expertise within the membership of the Forum, to assess what would make the most impact;

- give advice on policy to Government and other policy makers;

- advise on strategies to enable the focused targeting of needs and the promotion of best practice, drawing on local, national and international experience;  and advise on the development and delivery of services;

- decide on priority areas of activity and assist in influencing others to take those priority areas into account in the development of their policies and allocation of their resources. The members of the Forum should also work to ensure that their respective organisations take account of these priority areas.

The Forum would not have a role in influencing the work of the bodies represented on the Forum outside of the issues detailed earlier in this Chapter.

If it proves impossible for the CVSNI to convene this Forum, the Chair of the Legacy Commission should do so until such time as they are able to take over the role of convenor.