Remembering and Wider Society

How we, as a society, remember the past is highly significant as we move out of conflict. The Commission for Victims and Survivors for Northern Ireland (CVSNI) is developing its work programme and remembering comprises a core part of that strategy. While we welcome this, and believe they have a lead role to play, it is important that remembering encompasses all sectors of society and not just victims and survivors.

In taking the lead on how the conflict is remembered the CVSNI must go beyond the narrow field of victims and survivors and challenge wider society. Organisations such as governments, churches, businesses and others must not be allowed to neglect their role in remembering the past. Whilst of course victims and survivors should have a prominent role in remembering, to place the entire burden on them would be self-defeating.

The Group recommends that the Legacy Commission, proposed in chapter 7, should, through the Reconciliation Forum, support CVSNI in developing the existing ways in which the conflict and its impact are remembered. his should include developing educational projects; providing support and guidance for those facilitating remembering projects in line with the criteria set out in this Chapter; and promoting the value of remembering across society as a means of achieving reconciliation.