wfn.org | Study Program to Ease Tensions

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3099 notes).

Note 3099 by UMNS on Aug. 5, 1996 at 16:09 Eastern (3842 characters).

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SEARCH: study, Irish, Ireland, tensions, United Methodist,
Business Education Initiative
Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT:  Ralph E. Baker                          385(10-71){3098}
          Nashville, Tenn.  (615) 742-5470            Aug. 5, 1996

Study program at United Methodist institutions
aims at lessening tensions in Ireland

                  A United Methodist News Feature
                          by Robert Lear*

     While almost three decades of "troubles" in Northern Ireland
again were turning ugly this summer, 39 United Methodist-related
college and university campuses were prepping for a program
sponsors believe ultimately can help ease tensions that have
caused more than 3,000 deaths since l969.
     Under the project, the United Methodist schools, and others
with Presbyterian, Episcopal and Roman Catholic ties, 91 in all,
will receive 164 students from Ireland for a year of study focused
on business management skills but covering a wide range of
subjects.  Most of the students are from Northern Ireland, a few
from the Republic of Ireland.
      This study, in turn, is expected to help the students obtain
employment in their homeland where pockets of unemployment can
range as high as 50 percent.
     "They will come back with the kind of experience companies
are looking for," Ian Walters, Belfast, chief executive of the
Northern Ireland Training and Employment agency, said during an
interview.  Walters was attending the semi-annual meeting of the
National Association of Schools and Colleges of the United
Methodist Church July 28-Aug. 1 in Rockport, Me.  His agency
manages the program.
     Walters called the project "one of the most exciting I've
been involved with, a flagship program that exceeded our
expectations."
     Unemployment is a major factor in fueling the violence that
has racked Northern Ireland since l969.  "We're making progress
and this program is contributing to it," Walters said.
     A fact sheet on the program says "a strong and growing
economy means better living standards for us all in Northern
Ireland.  The peace process will have a better chance of success
in this environment."
     The Business Education Initiative, as the program formally is
known, grew out of a "call" for fair employment and investment in
Northern Ireland issued by the Inter-Church Committee for Northern
Ireland.  The committee is comprised of United Methodists,
Presbyterians, Episcopalians and Roman Catholics.
     President Clinton; British Prime Minister John Major; and
Dick Spring, Irish foreign minister, have strongly endorsed the
program.  The U.S. president has praised the participating
colleges for developing an "innovating and exciting way" of
providing the students with international experience and business
knowledge.
     Receiving colleges waive tuition costs.  Transportation to
the U.S., lodging and board, books and money for incidentals is
provided by several Irish and international agencies.  The
contributions in l995 totaled upwards of $3 million.
     The pilot program in l994 included 19 students, with 123
taking part in l995.  A survey of the l995 participants showed an
overwhelmingly favorable response to the program, and grades for
the majority were in the 3.0 to 3.99 range.
     One student said he had learned how to communicate better,
how to lead, and "believe in something and stand for what I
believe in."  Another said participation provided an "opportunity
to break free -- to find out who and what I am."

                              #  #  #
     * Lear is retired director of the Washington office of United
Methodist News Service living in Wernersville, Pa.

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