Ireland/Northern Ireland (UK)
The Development Challenge
Tremendous changes have taken place since the 1998 approval of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) by an overwhelming majority of the population in Ireland and a large majority in Northern Ireland. After general acceptance of the GFA and with the continuing ceasefires by various paramilitary organizations, Northern Ireland has experienced economic renewal. Nonetheless, political stability is still not fully realized and remains a key objective of U.S. policy towards Northern Ireland. Sectarian confrontation within Northern Ireland, as well as voluntary segregation between the unionist and nationalist communities, remains a challenge to building a diverse society founded on tolerance, equal rights, and a commitment to nonviolent political means for the common good.
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Support for cross-community reconciliation has long been the focus of U.S. assistance to Northern Ireland and the six border counties of Ireland: Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, and Louth. The U.S. Government makes significant contributions to the peace process through its support of the International Fund for Ireland and the Walsh Visa Program as described below and in the Program Data Sheet.
The USAID Program: As the major donor to the International Fund for Ireland (IFI), the United States provides assistance for economic development and cross-community reconciliation throughout Northern Ireland and the border counties.
The objectives of the IFI are to promote economic and social advancement, and encourage contact, dialogue, and reconciliation between nationalist and unionist communities. The IFI has provided new investment aimed at creating jobs and reconstructing disadvantaged areas. Reconciliation projects have fostered cross-community exchanges involving youth and community leaders. Fund policy requires that projects benefit both nationalist and unionist communities, and that the implementing organization includes members of the two communities. Through this policy, the IFI has encouraged communities to take ownership of projects.
The Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998, also known as the Walsh Visa Program, provides employment and job training for young people who are residents of Northern Ireland or one of the six border counties of the Republic of Ireland. The Walsh Visa Program supports economic regeneration as well as peace and reconciliation in these areas. After the participants complete a training program, they are hired by a Walsh employer in the United States for up to 36 months. The last round of participants arrived in the United States in 2003; the program sunsets in 2006 when these final Walsh participants depart.
Other Program Elements: None.
Other Donors: IFI activities are financed through international contributions from the United States, European Union, and Canada. Each of the donors sends a non-voting observer to IFI Board meetings. New Zealand and Australia, former donors that do not actively contribute to the Fund, retain the right to send non-voting observers to IFI Board meetings.
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