Topic 15

Taking stock for the future

For this final theme we have not provided any extracts, because this theme is related to the circumstances which exist when the topic is being discussed. Therefore participants themselves can be invited to collect relevant materials.

While it is not possible to know what the circumstances will be in the future, the success or failure of the Agreement and the institutions set up under it will depend on the balance between the incentives for each party to make it work on the one hand; and on the other, if the incentives for each party are sufficiently strong then they will overcome the discomfort that may be felt in implementing some of the provisions of the Agreement. If the incentives for one party are weak then it may find it hard to continue to make a commitment to an Agreement or to those parts of it which cause it discomfort. Equally important, if a party can clearly see the incentives for other parties to work within the Agreement, then it will have more confidence in the good faith of the other parties and that may be the best basis for the development of trust.

Exercise 1

1. Collect current newspapers and periodicals, for the week prior to the session, looking for articles and stories that indicate the current state of inter-community and inter-party relations.

2. Share the newspapers and cuttings in the group and identify recurring themes and issues. (15 minutes)

3. What are the current obstacles to good inter-community relations?

4. What are the current risks and concerns which are facing the parties

5. What incentives are there for political parties and communities to work together and co-operate?

6. Can anything be done to maximise the incentives?

7. Can the incentives be more clearly acknowledged and publicised? Would that be helpful?

1. Using the material and ideas from exercise 1, in small groups make a diagram or collage from the newspaper cuttings to demonstrate visually the influences working in different directions. On one side could be the factors encouraging greater inter-community co-operation and the other could be those factors inhibiting co-operation. (25 minutes)

2. Present the work of the small groups and explain if necessary. (5 minutes)

3. Consider the work of the groups and assess the potential for a stable just society at this point in time. (10 minutes)

4. Individually make a list of three things that you could do personally to help to make your society more just and peaceful. (10 minutes)

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