A defining decade: from history to healing

---

Naomi Long MP writes that we need to recognise the "shared and difficult history" of Northern Ireland and from it forge a more stable future.

We are rapidly approaching the start of a decade of significant centenaries marking events affecting the shared history of the UK and Ireland, commencing with the signing of the Ulster Covenant in 1912 and the Home Rule Crisis, through the First World War, the Battle of the Somme and on to the Easter Rising in 1916, and culminating in the partition of Ireland in 1921 and the formation of the Irish and Northern Irish Parliaments.

This period of considerable turmoil shaped not only Northern Ireland but also the relationships within and between these islands. Sadly, the divisions which were evident during that period remain largely the basis of the divisions in Northern Irish society today: therefore, the manner in which we mark those events, which remain both sensitive and emotive, is hugely important to preserving current stability and building a peaceful, stable and shared future going forward.

Handled well, this period has the potential to aid understanding through education, helping us learn from our past, and to progress a shared and better future for our community: handled poorly, it has the potential to be a highly charged and fractious period, marked by deepening antagonism and division within society.

Given the huge improvements in east-west relations, marked most notably by the Queen's recent visit toIreland, hosted by former President Mary McAleese, the decade ahead should be viewed as an important opportunity to build on this good will and further enhance relations between the UK and Ireland as well as to improve community relations within Northern Ireland. The success of that historic visit also teaches us important lessons about how to maximise such unique opportunities. Such events are not – cannot be – spontaneous: they require planning, careful management, huge sensitivity and strong political and civic leadership.

Working together, the British and Irish Governments, along with the NI Assembly and local councils, can set the tone for how all of the events will be marked and ensure that they are organised on an inclusive basis, looking to the wider history and context of the time in these islands and across Europe, rather than deteriorating into a series of at best exclusive and at worst, divisive and triumphalist celebrations of each individual centenary.

That spirit of inclusion must also be matched by historical rigour, as there is still no shared or agreed narrative about many of the events, and many myths continue to endure which not only impede understanding but are also toxic to current relations.

Some of these events are of significance beyond Northern Ireland and will be marked, therefore, not only in Northern Ireland, but throughout these islands, so coordination of approach is also crucial in order that we maximise not only the opportunity to build on good relations but also to capitalise on the potential heritage and cultural tourism potential of the period.

Naomi Long is the Alliance Party Deputy Leader and Member of Parliament for Belfast East.