A major study has found that peacebuilding programmes can make a real difference to the lives of children, young people and families, helping them develop coping skills, build trust and strengthen relationships across communities.
The research, led by Professor Siobhan O’Neill, Northern Ireland’s Mental Health Champion, is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland to measure whether a peacebuilding programme is achieving the outcomes it aims to deliver, rather than simply assuming positive impacts are taking place.
The study evaluated OUR Generation, a cross-border programme which worked with more than 60,000 young people across Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland.
The findings showed that by participating in peacebuilding programmes:
- Children, young people and adults all developed stronger coping and problem-solving skills
- Young people became better at understanding other people’s experiences and viewpoints, while adults involved in the programme showed increased empathy and greater trust towards people from different backgrounds.
- Children built stronger connections across community divides and reported higher levels of trust in others, helping to create more positive relationships from an early age.
The research also showed that peacebuilding programmes focused on emotional wellbeing and resilience can deliver real, measurable benefits, helping people of different ages build the skills needed for stronger, more connected communities.
Read the full story on Ulster University’s website.
The OUR Generation project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). As one of nine partners involved in OUR Generation, PlayBoard delivers Spaces to Be as part of the project.
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