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Fellowship Project Calls for Action on Abuse of Political Candidates in Northern Ireland

March 12, 2025/in CDPB, Fellowship, News /by admin

A group of leaders from the Centre for Democracy and Peace’s Fellowship Programme have designed a new initiative tackling the abuse and intimidation faced by political candidates in Northern Ireland. As part of the programme’s design thinking module, the team explored real-life challenges and developed solutions aimed at fostering a safer and more inclusive political environment.

Highlights from the Fellowship Dublin residential

January 30, 2025/in CDPB, Fellowship, News /by Eva Grosman

It is just over one week since our Fellows concluded their second programme residential in Dublin. We want to take this moment to showcase what our Fellows got up to […]

Fellowship Project Calls for Action on Abuse of Political Candidates in Northern Ireland

March 12, 2025/in CDPB, Fellowship, News /by admin

Highlights from the Fellowship Dublin residential

January 30, 2025/in CDPB, Fellowship, News /by Eva Grosman

It is just over one week since our Fellows concluded their second programme residential in Dublin. We want to take this moment to showcase what our Fellows got up to […]

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Fellowship Project Calls for Action on Abuse of Political Candidates in Northern Ireland

March 12, 2025/in CDPB, Fellowship, News /by admin

Backed by the Electoral Commission Northern Ireland, the project comes in response to alarming statistics: 71% of candidates in the 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election experienced abuse, threats, or intimidation. This rising hostility disproportionately affects women and ethnic minorities, discouraging individuals from standing for office and threatening the integrity of democracy itself.

During the project, Siobhán McAlister (SDLP) and Cllr Alan Lewis (DUP) shared deeply personal stories of abuse they have faced as political figures. Their experiences underscored the urgency of the issue, prompting other members of the Fellowship cohort to collectively seek out innovative solutions.

The Design Thinking group has put forward a coordinated approach to combat abuse, including:

A public awareness campaign to challenge the normalisation of threats and harassment.

Legislative measures to strengthen protections for candidates.

Education initiatives to promote respectful political discourse.

Cahir Hughes, Head of the Electoral Commission Northern Ireland and a 2024-25 Centre for Democracy and Peace (CDP) Fellow, emphasised the importance of action ahead of the 2027 elections:

“With two years until the next election, it’s crucial for political parties and civil society to work together to create an environment where healthy political engagement can thrive. We need to make Northern Ireland a safe place to run for office, free from intimidation. The Fellowship Programme has provided a unique platform to bring together insights from the political, business, and civic sectors to tackle this issue head-on.”

The project is part of CDP’s Fellowship Programme, which challenges Northern Irish leaders to tackle some of the region’s most pressing issues. This year’s cohort—the largest to date, with 28 leaders from business, politics, and civic society—has been working on a range of projects designed to generate tangible solutions for the future of Northern Ireland.

The Fellowship Programme is supported by Allstate NI, Camlin Group, FinTrU, Fujitsu NI, NIE Networks, and Ulster Carpets, along with the Irish Department for Foreign Affairs and the Irish American Partnership.

The 2024-25 Fellowship Programme will conclude with a graduation ceremony at Hillsborough Castle on Thursday, 3 April.

fellowship.democracyandpeace.org

Highlights from the Fellowship Dublin residential

January 30, 2025/in CDPB, Fellowship, News /by Eva Grosman

It is just over one week since our Fellows concluded their second programme residential in Dublin. We want to take this moment to showcase what our Fellows got up to and to thank every facilitator and organisation that contributed during the residential. Enjoy!

Day 1

Fellows at the British Embassy, Dublin.

The Dublin residential got underway with a visit to the British Embassy. A huge thank you to Ambassador Paul Johnston, Deputy Head of Mission Elin Burns, Dr Harry O’Rahilly, and other Embassy colleagues for sharing their expertise and experience with our Fellows.

Following the visit to the British Embassy, we were kindly hosted ESB Networks for a tour of their new headquarters and an insightful overview of their corporate strategy and reputation initiatives, including a wider discussion on net zero targets.

Day 1 ended with a viewing of How to Defuse a Bomb: The Project Children Story, the inspiring story of NYPD officer Denis Mulcahy, who co-founded Project Children in 1975 with his wife, Pat. The charity provided six-week summer respites for over 23,000 Catholic and Protestant children from Northern Ireland amidst the violence of The Troubles.

Day 2

Fellows during a session at IMMA.

Day 2 of the Dublin residential brought us to the iconic Royal Hospital Kilmainham, where we were warmly hosted by the IMMA team. Our Fellows had the privilege of exploring the Take a Breath exhibition and engaging in conversation with artist and filmmaker Helen Flanagan on the powerful role of the arts in addressing social issues. The day began with an insightful discussion on strategic leadership led by Ciarán Ó Cuinn, drawing from his extensive experience in the Middle East. Dr Elizabeth Welty concluded our time in Dublin 8 with a valuable workshop on breathing techniques for clarity and confidence.

The day concluded with colleagues from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Shared Island Unit. Fellows engaged with officials on a range of issues focused on North/South cooperation. We are truly grateful for the vital support of the Department’s Reconciliation Fund that makes the work and impact of the Fellowship Programme possible.

Day 3

Fellows receive a tour of Bank of Ireland College Green.

Fellows wrapped up the 2025 Fellowship Dublin residential with visits to Trinity College Dublin and Bank of Ireland HQ, focusing on British-Irish & North/South relations. A huge thank you to Dr David Mitchell, Prof Etain Tannam and Dr Gillian Wylie for hosting us at TCD and facilitating fascinating conversations alongside the inspirational Tim O’Connor.

We’re also grateful to Gillian Orr and the team at Bank of Ireland for giving us a tour of the spectacular College Green building and presenting on their work across these isles.

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Fellowship Project Calls for Action on Abuse of Political Candidates in Northern IrelandMarch 12, 2025 - 9:27 am
A group of leaders from the Centre for Democracy and Peace’s Fellowship Programme have designed a new initiative tackling the abuse and intimidation faced by political candidates in Northern Ireland. As part of the programme’s design thinking module, the team explored real-life challenges and developed solutions aimed at fostering a safer and more inclusive political environment.
Highlights from the Fellowship Dublin residentialJanuary 30, 2025 - 11:08 am
It is just over one week since our Fellows concluded their second programme residential in Dublin. We want to take this moment to showcase what our Fellows got up to […]
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