Public Policy, Philanthropy and Peacebuilding in Northern Ireland

By: Colin Knox and Padraic Quirk

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Synopsis: This book examines the role playedby one important external stakeholder, Atlantic Philanthropies, a limited-lifefoundation, in helping to build peace and promote reconciliation in NorthernIreland. Northern Ireland is now referred to as a post-conflict society largelydue to the absence of political violence and relatively stable politicalinstitutions. These are necessary but insufficient conditions for what Galtunghas described as 'positive peace', which requires a more fundamental review ofthe structural inequalities that contributed to the conflict in the first place. Using detailed case studies the authors illustrate the role played by voluntaryand community sector groups, funded by Atlantic Philanthropies, in influencingthe public policy agenda and securing long term systemic changes. They alsocritique the work of Atlantic as a 'pay to play' organization whose originalmission moved from funding the higher education sector on the island of Irelandto become a key foundation with a significant role in the peace process.