northern ireland peace and community builders

about us
In addition to the four week intensive study period and placement within New York City, participants will also avail of key individuals who will present case studies of public management challenges as well as facilitated discussions about core relevant to Northern Ireland. Prior years have seen contributions by Senator George Mitchell, John V Connorton (Investment specialist) and Kathleen O’Toole (Patten Commission member and Boston Police Commissioner).

On the placement front, the participants will be divided up into teams and placed for two weeks with organisations in New York. A range of public and voluntary organisations has provided placements including the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (an urban regeneration initiative promoted by the US Government) the Westchester Department of Social Services, the Educational Video Centre and the Housing and Preservation Department.

Columbia University
Topics covered at Columbia include:
• Public management
• Leading and managing strategically
• Conflict resolution
• The impact of globalisation
• Community building and the importance of partnerships
• The role of public safety in community building

What is expected of participants
Participants must be eligible for a U.S. visa. More information about the eligibility rules is available at http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/ The visa type is a B1 visit and the Programme Manager will help those selected with that process. The Programme will cover visa application costs.

Prior to departure, a participant will have to:
• Attend a half-day session to complete the visa application
• Attend a full day pre departure session with the Programme Manager

In New York, a participant is required to:
• Attend each day (either at Columbia or with your host organisation.)
• Complete a working paper outlining what you have learnt in New York
• Make a team presentation to the full group about what you have learned

Upon returning to Northern Ireland participants will be expected to:
• Attend a re-entry and evaluation programme
• Make a group presentation about their experiences to an invited audience of their employers/managers.
• Participate in a structured programme involving 2005 and prior participants in addition to participants developing a network of contacts on their own initiative.

What costs does the programme cover?
The programme covers airfares, accommodation and training/education costs in New York as well as pre departure and re-entry programmes, visa application costs in Northern Ireland and ground transportation costs in New York. Breakfast and lunch will be provided while at Columbia University.
Participants are expected to cover all other subsistence costs for food and drink.