Peace and Conflict Studies - Spring 2014

Peace and Conflict Studies Volume 21, Number 1 35 much” or no interest at all in politics (Young Life and Times Survey, 2011). They also represent the age group that is the least likely to vote. A recent opinion poll found that 52% of the 18-24 year olds said that they would not bother voting compared with 40% of the 45- 64 age-group, and 38% of the 65+ age-group (Belfast Telegraph, 2013). On a more positive note, there are signs from a small sample survey of 15-21 year olds that young people are supportive of greater sharing and integration across many different aspects of education, relationships, culture and social/physical regeneration (Ellis, McNeill, Erskine, & O’Sullivan, 2013). For example, over 90% of respondents supported greater levels of contact between the communities and 64% of respondents indicated that they would prefer to be educated in a mixed environment rather than a segregated one. One issue on which the respondents were divided relates to the aspiration either to stay in Northern Ireland (53%) or seek a better future elsewhere (47%). Social Transformation Research has highlighted the role that identity and social values play in mobilisation for violence. As a result there are many examples of youth peacebuilding programmes based on the idea that intercultural exchanges lead to reduced prejudice and improved relations between groups (Allport, 1954; Amir, 1976; Maoz, 2002; Trew, 1986). One example of such programmes is the Children’s Friendship Project for Northern Ireland (CFPNI) which was established with the aim of promoting understanding through interaction. It ran from 1987 until 2007 when the organisation directed its activities into the creation of an Alumni Group of past participants. The project has its origin in the many “holiday schemes” of the 1980s which allowed children from both the Catholic and Protestant communities to travel to the United States for a few weeks during the summer months. Over 2,500 young people participated in the CFPNI programme that included a four-week stay in the United States with a host family along with organised pre and post “holiday” programmes. Activities varied, but included participation in community service and volunteer schemes and cultural and teambuilding activities, concentrating on leadership and conflict resolution (Irish Times, 2007). However, the main focus was on the building of a friendship and a key requirement was that both the youth participants from the two major traditions in Northern Ireland had to share a room for the duration of their stay with the American host family. The impact of these programmes has been the subject of much research across a number of contexts (Gaertner, Dovidio, & Bachman, 1996; Horenczyk & Bekerman, 1997). According to the contact hypothesis on which these types of programmes are based, four key