Claudy venue for 'Experiences of the Troubles' programme

Open to women's groups and indivisuals with an interest in facilitating dialogue and reconciliation among women from different communities, there are just a few places left on the 'Experiences of the Troubles' programme, which will get underway on February 4.

The course will take the form of a three-stage cross-border reconciliation programme aimed at women from the City, as well as Mid-Ulster, Lifford, Raphoe and Inishowen.

It is being delivered free to 16 participants by Inishowen Women's Information Network and Mid Ulster Women's Network and each of the three stages last 10 weeks.

Jacqui Rooney, who facilitates the programme said she hopes that the course, which has been running for three years, will help people find common ground.

"Some of the women who have been on the course in the past have some experiences of the Troubles, not all very traumatic, but to varying degrees. But, at the end of the programme the main thing is that they come to the conclusion that they are all very similar and the issues they have be they Catholic or Protestant, North or South, are very similar."

The programme is very much focused on bridge-building, enquiring into discrimination and the various types of culture, which give a better understanding of where other people are 'coming from' in context with the history of Northern Ireland.

So popular is the programme since it started that there are only four places left on the current up-take, but recruitment will continue in April and anyone unsuccessful for the current programme can put their name down for possible inclusion in the forthcoming intake.

Ms Rooney said they were hoping for good interest in the final places from women in the Waterside, the Dungiven area or from Strabane.

"The places are open to anyone. If you feel you have been effected by the Troubles then you are more than welcome to attend. It is a 30-week course and the first 10 weeks will look at individuals' experiences of the Troubles. Then we will look at the wider history of the Troubles and in the final 10 weeks we give training on facilitation skills and how to work in communities and groups," she siad.

Ms Rooney said that the course was an ideal stepping stone for helping women who wanted to return to work, or for those in the voluntary sector securing a paid post.

"It is also an ideal 'first time out of the house' course as well, and we hope that women will take away a better understanding of 'the other side'. It also lets them see that they are not the only person effected by the Troubles," she said.

Those interested in learning more, booking one of the final places, or to sign up for a future course, can telephone Jacqui Rooney on 00353 74937 3562 or Elaine (028) 79 634781, or, alternatively, to print an application form or download the full brochure log on at www.womenworkingwelltogether.com/contact.html.

Funders for the programme are: Derry City Council, IFI, the Department of Foreign Afairs.