Peace building

For much of my political career, the focus has been on the Northern Ireland peace process.

I have learned a lot about peace-building during that time and for good or ill, I feel it is important to share this with others facing similar challenges across the world. In Parliament, in addition to my work as a member of the Defence Select Committee, I am also Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Conflict Issues which meets regularly to debate and discuss matters relating to conflicts across the world. This helps to inform British parliamentarians from both the Commons and the Lords about particular conflict situations and often we receive briefings from the key players involved in peace initiatives in some of the most dangerous conflict zones in the world.

Meeting with Salahuddin Rabbani, Chairman of the High Peace Council in Kabul, Afghanistan

Meeting with Salahuddin Rabbani, Chairman of the High Peace Council in Kabul, Afghanistan

I also serve as a member of the UK Delegation to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly based in Strasbourg. The Council of Europe seeks to promote democracy, human rights and respect for the rule of law across all European nations.

Alongside my work as an MP, I am also Chairman of a not-for-profit organisation called the Causeway Institute for Peace-building and Conflict Resolution (CIPCR) which seeks to share the experience of the Northern Ireland peace process with others who are endeavouring to resolve conflict in their own region.

In so doing, we recognise that each conflict is unique and therefore one cannot simply transfer a solution from one conflict to another. That said, we believe that lessons may be drawn from Northern Ireland, both good and bad, which can help those who are engaged in peace-building work across the globe. After all, the peace process here is a ‘work in progress’ and we can learn from others just as much as they can draw upon our experience.

Meeting the leader of the Burmese Opposition Aung San Suu Kyi

Meeting the leader of the Burmese Opposition Aung San Suu Kyi

The Causeway Institute utilises the practical experience and expertise developed in Northern Ireland over thirty years of the ‘troubles’ and the peace process that followed it. We have an Advisory Panel comprising politicians, security experts, civil society leaders and academics, all of whom have played a critical role in peace-building. Conflict resolution initiatives have been supported in countries as diverse as Cyprus and Burma, as well as the Middle East, Moldova, Bahrain, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Philippines.

The Institute owes its name to Northern Ireland’s only world heritage site - the Giants Causeway and was chosen because peace-building is a bit like bridge-building and a causeway is a form of bridge.

Further information about their activities can be found on the Causeway Institute website: www.cipcr.org

To hear Jeffrey talk about his own personal experience of the peace process in Northern Ireland, please watch the video below.

Peace building Links

View Election Results