An exchange trip between youth groups in Northern Ireland and South Africa set out to help the young people of both nations understand more about their own situation, face their prejudices and explore cultural diversity.
Young people had to consider some hard-hitting questions: how does prejudice around colour and religion impact on the two societies? And what role can young people play in the established peace settlements?
Youth club involvement
In Northern Ireland, the youth workers behind the exchange recruited young people through community associations and housing estates rather than traditional youth clubs or groups, as a way of involving those with little experience of youth work. These young people were wary of the whole idea, making recruitment a slow process, according to Mary McGrath, interboard community relations co-ordinator of the Northern Ireland Education and Library Board. "I think they were worried about violence in South Africa, or even flying," she explains.
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