Ireland And Palestine- Divided Countries United by History

The seminar will be conducted by leading Irish scholars and experts and is structured as follows:

• Preparation. Prior to the seminar the selected participants will be provided with a reading package, which will enable them to become familiar with the course material. Each participant will be required to write a brief paper on a subject related to the seminar. The presentation of this paper will be an integral part of the program.
   
• Seminar. During the five-day intensive seminar local and international experts will establish a fundamental background on the history, society, and political system of the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland and provide a first hand insight into the Irish conflict and its negotiation process. In particular, seminar topics include the following: 
   

  • The partition of Ireland and its consequences. 
     
  • The constitutional development of independent Ireland - devolved government and control in Northern Ireland. 
     
  • Religion, ethnicity and nationalism in Ireland. 
     
  • Political actors, constituencies and party systems in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. 
     
  • Irish foreign policy (with focus on the Middle East ). 
     
  • British policy and direct rule in Northern Ireland. 
     
  • The agenda of the Irish Government and Northern Ireland. 
     
  • The Anglo-Irish Agreement. 
     
  • The influence of the International Community, especially the US , the EU and the UN in the peace process. 
     
  • Current negotiations in Northern Ireland .

• Conclusion. At the close of the seminar, certificates will be awarded by PASSIA to participants who successfully complete the program.

Completed application forms must be submitted to PASSIA by Friday, 17 September 2004. PASSIA will then invite short-listed applicants to interviews. Applicants will be notified of the results and, upon selection, participants will have to confirm their commitment to full-time participation in writing as well as submit a letter from their employers confirming that they will be exempted from work during the required period.

The PASSIA Program on Training and Education in International Affairs will take place from 10-14 October 2004 at the PASSIA office in RAMALLAH. All candidates must commit themselves to participate fully during the entire period. There are no costs involved; accommodation will be provided for selected participants from remote locations upon their request.