Pauline Tennent

The EU Peace II Fund and the International Fund for Ireland: Nurturing Cross-Community Contact and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland

Economic aid is one component of peacebuilding that has been given increasing prominence in its ability to build both sustainable peace and development. This article analyses the impact of economic aid on peacebuilding initiatives, looking at the case study of Northern Ireland. Through qualitative and quantitative data analysis, this article addresses whether international economic assistance is able to target the structural forces that have been known to exacerbate ethnic conflicts, and points to both its successes and failures in the perception of the civilian population.

Navigating Ethical Challenges in Qualitative Research With Children and Youth Through Sustaining Mindful Presence

This article explores ethical challenges in qualitative research by bringing forward examples from the literature and from IN•GAUGE®, a research program spanning over 15 years and focusing on the significance of multiple perspectives and the value of gauging the health needs of young people and their families. In addition to exploring the ethical challenges in working with children and youth in research, we make the case that ethical considerations need to extend beyond research ethics boards protocols and present “sustaining mindful presence” as a conceptual frame practical guide for working through ethical challenges in qualitative research. We contend that greater participation of research subjects, including children and youth, is the way forward for developing more holistic and effective approaches to ethics within research institutions.

The Impact of International Funding on Reconciliation and Human Security in Northern Ireland

During the summer of 2006, 98 interviews were conducted in the Border areas, Derry, and Belfast, with recipients of economic aid from the International Fund for Ireland and/or the European Union Peace II Fund. The research findings point to the importance of micro-political factors in peoples assessment of the impact of funding on peacebuilding, as well as in terms of individual insights into the barriers that prevent deep reconciliation. The respondents also suggest that conflict can be explained (or is underlain) by a deep aversion, which can be contrasted to affinity, which is exemplified in some community activities. In addition, a politics of recognition is problematic to the funding schemes that reproduce division. Reconciliation, identity and diversity are discussed in the context of human security.

“People try and label me as someone I'm not”: The social ecology of Indigenous people living with HIV, stigma, and discrimination in Manitoba, Canada

Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) are currently overrepresented in the HIV epidemic in Canada and are infected at a younger age than those who are not Indigenous. This article presents our findings on the stigma and discrimination (as well as related themes such as disclosure) experienced by Indigenous people who contracted HIV in their youth and live in urban and non-urban settings in Manitoba, Canada. The findings were derived from a qualitative study that sought to understand the experiences and needs of Indigenous people living with HIV (including AIDS). We situate such experiences within a social ecological framework towards developing a better structural understanding of the impacts of stigma and discrimination on the lives of Indigenous people who are HIV positive. Stigma and discrimination caused barriers for Indigenous people living with HIV through inhibiting their ease of access to supports including family, peers, community, and long- and short-term health services. Creative forms of outreach and education that are culturally appropriate and/or rooted in culture were considered to be possibly impactful ways of reducing stigma and discrimination at the community level. Learning from communities who are successfully managing stigma also showed promise for developing new programming.

Civil Society Leaders and Northern Ireland's Peace Process: Hopes and Fears for the Future

This article explores the interview narratives of 98 Northern Irish participants (consisting of NGO and community group leaders, development officers, and civil servants responsible for funding grassroots peacebuilding work) regarding their hopes and fears for the future. These civil society leaders expressed a wide variety of hopes and fears addressing both the micro grassroots and the macro political levels of society. An analysis of these expressed hopes and fears is both instructive and significant. Civil society peacebuilding actors have been given significant voice in the Northern Ireland peace process. The findings reveal significant hope that reconciliation work at the grassroots level will be successful, but conversely, they also reveal noticeable fear regarding the political peace process and the resumption of political violence.

Building the Peace Dividend in Northern Ireland: People's Perceptions of Self and Country

The role of the International Fund for Ireland and the European Union Peace II Fund is examined through the perspectives of a public opinion poll of 1,023 of Northern Irelands citizens, and interviews with 98 community groups, civil servants, and development officers. This article explains that while some of the respondents are optimistic about their life changes others are concerned that the conflict could reignite in the future. In particular, the respondents images indicate the importance of the self–society relationship and the necessity of tailoring economic assistance to the distinctive socioeconomic needs of the targeted communities, and how third parties must include local perspectives in their efforts to build the peace.

A qualitative study on the intersectional social determinants for indigenous people who become infected with HIV in their youth

BackgroundIndigenous young people are currently highly overrepresented in the HIV epidemic in Canada, especially in the Prairie Provinces, such as Manitoba. Understanding HIV-vulnerability in Indigenous peoples must begin with understanding that social determinants are intersectional and linked to the historical legacy of European colonization. In this paper findings that detail the influence of the intersectional social determinants on Indigenous people who become infected with HIV in their youth are presented.MethodsThe qualitative research design of phenomenology was used as it afforded the opportunity to understand Indigenous young people from their frames of reference and experiences of reality, resulting in a phenomenological understanding of their perspectives and experiences of the early years of living with HIV. A total of 21 Indigenous young people took part open-ended interviews.ResultsThe stories that the Indigenous young people shared revealed their deeply interconnected social worlds, and how social determinants including abuse, trauma, being part of the child welfare system, and housing and food security were connected throughout various stages of their lives. Such stages included childhood, adolescence and young adulthood (the time of HIV infection), and later adulthood for older participants with the social determinants having multiple influences on their health trajectories.ConclusionsThe findings highlight the need for policies and programs that are broadly focused, addressing multiple social determinants together. Overall, there needs to be more emphasis on the multiple social determinants in the life situations of all Indigenous youth. Reducing the health and social disparities in Indigenous youth is key to reducing the number of young Indigenous people diagnosed with HIV. The findings also shed light on the importance of listening to young Indigenous people who have experienced HIV diagnosis and life following diagnosis.

Advancing patient engagement: youth and family participation in health research communities of practice

Plain English summaryThe involvement of patients in health research has resulted in the development of more effective interventions and policies in healthcare that respond to the needs of healthcare users. This article examines how working with youth and their families as co-researchers in health research communities of practice (CoPs), rather than just as participants, can benefit all involved. Health research (CoPs) promote an environment in which co-researchers have the opportunity to do more than just participate in the data collection phase of the research process. As co-researchers, youth and their families are able to participate, learn, and contribute to knowledge and building relationships that are designed to innovate and improve healthcare systems. However, in order to ensure engagement of youth and their families in health research that they find meaningful and rewarding, three factors have been identified as important parts of the process: promoting identity, building capacity, and encouraging leadership skills.AbstractBackground Patient engagement in health research is becoming more popular as it can lead to evidence for developing the most effective interventions, policy and practice recommendations. Models of patient engagement have been evolving over the past four decades including health research communities of practice (CoPs). Health research CoPs help to break down professional barriers and enhance knowledge sharing for the purpose of improving health outcomes. In this article we consider health research CoPs when youth and their families are involved. Main body As part of an ongoing research program, we identify how insights about youth and their families’ views are taken into account as well as their specific roles in health research CoPs. We have worked with youth and their families not only as participants in health research, but instead as co-researchers in health research CoPs. As co-researchers, youth and their families are able to participate, learn, and contribute to knowledge and building relationships that are designed to innovate and improve healthcare systems. Promoting and creating the space for identity, capacity building, and leadership is integral to the engagement of youth and their families in health research in a way that they consider meaningful and rewarding. Conclusions Youth and families can play stronger and more meaningful roles in health research by adopting a CoPs approach. Further examination of the internal structures and connections between youth and families as well other actors (i.e., with service providers and special knowledge holders) within emerging health research CoPs would be advantageous for developing greater understanding and best practices around engaging youth and families in health research.