HISTORY OF THE ULSTER PROJECT

Following an extended pastoral exchange with a clergyman in Manchester, Connecticut, Canon Kerry Waterstone, a Church of Ireland (Anglican) priest, received a request from two congregations in that city asking him to formulate a plan in an effort to help ease the tensions in Northern Ireland. After the experience of his own family in here in America, Canon Waterstone felt that the attitudes of Teens from Northern Ireland might be changed, so as to influence the future in Northern Ireland, if they could see and experience the way Americans have learned to live together in their �melting-pot� society.

After obtaining approval from church leaders, Canon Waterstone travelled into Northern Ireland to secure the cooperation of clergy willing to help in the implementation of his plan. Forming the original guidelines for the Project, he focused on the prejudices and stereotypes, which are the root cause of the bitter strife labeled Catholic/Protestant. Nationally, the Project began in the United States in 1975, and by 1995 there were 25 Projects here in the United States.

PROJECT PLAN AND ACTIVITIES

The Project expanded to Alliance, Oh. about 10 years ago. Under the sponsorship of the Ulster Project, 14 Teenagers and from Belfast, Northern Ireland, half Protestants and half Catholic, half girls and half boys, come to Alliance for the month of July to live in private homes. They are paired with American teens of the same sex and approximate age. They live with Host Families, who are on the same side of the Catholic/Protestant �Faith line� and are �matched� by a Commitee, selected by the participating American churches.

Accompanied by two adult Counselors, the Northern Irish participants range in age from fourteen to sixteen years, having been evaluated and selected by their teachers and clergy for their leadership potential. At this age, the young people have not committed themselves to any underground militant group and are old enough to profit from this experience.

During the month of the Project, the entire group of Northern Irish and American teens meet almost daily for activities, which include encounter sessions, social activities, service and worship experiences.

Because the Project works so well, developing mutual trust and friendship among the Northern Irish youth and their families, participating Northern Irish leaders plan reunions and meetings after the youth return to Northern Ireland, encouraging and allowing the continuing friendships formed during the Project. The 1998 Project will bring another 12 teens and 2 counselors from Belfast in Northern Ireland. Return to Ulster Home Page

This page has been reconstructed by Martin Coyle