Peace and Conflict Studies - Spring 2014

Peace and Conflict Studies Volume 21, Number 1 37 Despite some of the criticisms, recent evidence suggests that intergroup contact can have a positive impact on attitudes between the two communities. McKeown and Cairns (2012) highlight research from the Young Life and Times (YLT) survey that indicates that young people aged 16 living in Northern Ireland who had attended cross-community groups demonstrated more favourable attitudes towards the outgroup in comparison with those who had not (Schubotz & Robinson, 2006). Data from the 2007 to 2008 YLT further indicates that 82% of young people who had participated in a cross-community programme agreed or strongly agreed that relations between Protestants and Catholics would be better if there were more community relations projects (Schubotz & McCarten, 2008). They argue that despite some of the weaknesses of some of these programmes related to the length of engagement and depth of discourse, the fact that participants in such programmes have volunteered to make contact with other communities and to learn about prejudice is surely in itself a step forward from a society who only 30 years ago was involved in violent conflict. (McKeown & Cairns, 2012, p. 73) Economic Transformation In terms of the contribution of economic change to peacebuilding, the literature highlights the importance of increasing potential livelihoods and therefore the opportunity cost to an individual of taking part in war. One organisation with a long-standing interest in this area is the International Fund for Ireland (IFI). The Fund was established in 1986 by the British and Irish Governments “to promote economic and social advance and to encourage contact, dialogue and reconciliation between nationalists and unionists throughout Ireland” (International Fund for Ireland, 2011, p. 8). Financed by contributions from the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, as of September 2011 the total resources committed totalled £695 million. One of the Fund’s longest established programmes Wider Horizons was established in 1986 to bring together young adults aged 16 to 28 years to enhance their employability. Each project typically lasts 20 weeks and is divided into three stages. The first stage includes training in vocational skills, conflict resolution, mutual understanding, team building and personal development. Stage two involves work experience in destinations such as Canada, America, Europe and South Africa and the third stage involves completing a vocational qualification and developing job search skills on their return. Over 17,000 young people have taken part in the programme. Whilst it has always targeted young people, the