Sixty residents from interface areas in North and West Belfast have completed a cross- community course that aims to build respect and understanding as part of a wider programme examining attitudes to Peace Barriers and their removal.

‘Challenging Conversations’ is an innovative nine-week course that encourages residents from Nationalist and Unionist backgrounds to explore and discuss issues such as the legacy of The Troubles, cultural heritage, politics, history, identity, flags and more.

The course is delivered by TASCIT (Twaddell Ardoyne Shankill Communities in Transition), a cross-community partnership involving four local organisations - Lower Shankill Community Association (LSCA), Twaddell & Woodvale Residents Association (TWRA), Concerned Residents of Upper Ardoyne (CRUA) and the North Belfast Interface Network (NBIN, Ardoyne).

Thanks to the support of The Executive Office, the International Fund for Ireland (IFI), Belfast City Council and the Department of Foreign Affairs, Challenging Conversations has successfully engaged with more than 300 residents since it began in 2018.

Speaking at the event, Junior Minister Aisling Reilly said: “It’s great to hear how ‘Challenging Conversations’ has made such a positive impact, breaking down barriers and bringing people together. Building confidence, respecting differences, and acknowledging that, despite differences, we all have so much in common. This is key to moving on and building a better, more prosperous future for all our people.

“I have no doubt these types of projects are bringing us all closer to a shared and better future.  Supporting and empowering communities work together is key to improving and enhancing community relations.”

“Thank you to everyone involved in this project, it’s your commitment, dedication and resilience which will help us continue to build towards a more peaceful and united community based on equality and respect.”

Junior Minister Pam Cameron said: “I have been hugely impressed by the excellent work undertaken by groups like TASCIT, as we strive to foster good relations and produce more peaceful and prosperous places for everyone to live in.

“I particularly welcome the positive impact this innovative project has had on people’s lives in north and west Belfast, in facilitating challenging conversations around contentious issues and building confidence and respect for all involved.

“To everyone who took part, we thank you. The work you have done is commendable. From sharing your own lived experiences to having those often-difficult interactions, not only have you learned to engage with and respect differing opinions, you have encouraged a new sense of understanding and friendship that can only grow in the future.

“Your input and ongoing efforts are invaluable as we all bid to build a united and shared society.”

The course is one of several community engagement initiatives delivered alongside the IFI’s Peace Barriers Programme, which TASCIT delivers in North Belfast. It develops and delivers a range of confidence and relationship building interventions within and between interface communities to help residents reach a position where they feel it is safe and appropriate to proceed with the removal of Peace Barriers in their area.

IFI Board Member Peter Osborne says; “Many divisions remain in Northern Ireland today and Peace Barriers bring both physical and mental challenges for communities. Thanks to projects like TASCIT, they are building trust with communities through innovative courses such as Challenging Conversations.

“By putting residents at the heart of their approach, they have been able to make significant progress around Peace Barriers in North Belfast. An interface that was closed for more than 40 years at Flax Street now connects communities and a new retail site and social housing is also bringing much needed regeneration to the area.  Challenging Conversations underpins the aims of the Peace Barriers Programme – encouraging dialogue, respect and understanding between communities who may have never met one another before if it wasn’t for the work of TASCIT. 

“It is about the future where these communities can work together on their collective issues and common ambitions because they will achieve more together for their own communities and each other.”

Over a nine-week period, residents took part in skills training sessions in different community centres on each side of the interface. They explored issues of culture and identity through educational/historical trips, including visiting the City and Shankill cemeteries to explore the diverse history of the city.

The group also travelled outside Belfast to enhance their understanding further, visiting Mid -Ulster, South Armagh, and Dublin. Each visit allowed participants to learn more about each other’s rich history and identity. Participants engaged with the GAA and Orange Order and learnt more about the Easter Rising in 1916 and Irish soldiers who fought in World War One.

Rab McCallum, TASCIT project co-ordinator adds; “Challenging Conversations is not just about taking people on a one-off trip or event - it's about having a sustained dialogue on the issues of our shared - and divided - history, identity, and culture.

“It is not about trying to somehow change or ‘moderate’ people’s strongly held views – it is about exposing them to the ‘other’ and enabling discussions to allow them to learn more about others’ perspectives on the most contentious of issues, such as legacy, identity, language, flags, bonfires and more.”

The celebration event was held at the Houben Centre, in North Belfast. If you are interested in taking part in the next Challenging Conversations Course, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..