Key Takeaways
- The Circle of Change initiative connects strangers from different backgrounds to promote tolerance and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
- The program has helped to bridge community divisions and challenge stereotypes, fostering a sense of hope and humanity among its participants.
- By sharing stories and experiences, participants have gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of racism and the importance of challenging prejudiced comments.
- The initiative has raised funds for various organizations, including those that support after-school care for black children and traditional Irish music classes for immigrants and refugees.
- The program’s success highlights the value of small, individual acts of change in contributing to a more peaceful and inclusive society.
Introduction to the Circle of Change
The Circle of Change is an initiative that aims to promote tolerance and reconciliation in Northern Ireland by connecting strangers from different backgrounds. The program, which is delivered by the 174 Trust, a charity based in the New Lodge area of north Belfast, brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, including rich and poor, black and white, gay and straight, to share stories and raise funds for organizations that support community cohesion. Maureen Hamblin, a black woman from Kenya, joined the Circle of Change and found it to be a transformative experience, one that restored her hope in the possibility of a more inclusive and welcoming society.
The Impact of the Circle of Change
The Circle of Change has had a profound impact on its participants, many of whom have reported feeling a sense of hope and humanity that they had not experienced before. By sharing stories and experiences, participants have gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of racism and the importance of challenging prejudiced comments. Suzanne Lagan, who joined the first circle, found herself meeting fellow members at locations that were far removed from her middle-class, Catholic upbringing, and reported feeling uncomfortable but also happy to be challenging her stereotypes. Liza Wilkinson, another participant, viewed homelessness with new eyes after conversations with a young member who had lived on the streets, and reported feeling a sense of privilege and gratitude for her own family network.
Challenging Stereotypes and Promoting Positive Change
The Circle of Change is designed to challenge stereotypes and promote positive change in Northern Ireland. By bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds, the program aims to create a microcosm of Belfast in each group, and to challenge participants to think differently about their assumptions and biases. Tim Magowan, the chief executive of the 174 Trust, reports that the program has been successful in promoting positive change, and that it has helped to bridge community divisions and foster a sense of cohesion and belonging. The program’s success is evident in the stories of its participants, who report feeling more hopeful and more connected to their community as a result of their involvement in the Circle of Change.
The Power of Music and Storytelling
Music and storytelling have played a significant role in the Circle of Change, with many participants reporting that these activities have helped to break down barriers and foster a sense of connection and community. Catherine Crean, who runs the Tunes Translated scheme, reports that music has a way of transcending language barriers and giving people a sense of cohesion and belonging. The scheme, which teaches traditional Irish music to immigrants and refugees, has been successful in promoting positive change and challenging stereotypes, and has helped to create a sense of community and connection among its participants. Maureen Hamblin and Tony Macaulay, who teamed up to record literary readings and songs in TikTok vignettes, report that music and storytelling have helped them to connect with others and to share their experiences in a way that is both powerful and meaningful.
Conclusion and Future Directions
The Circle of Change is a powerful example of the impact that small, individual acts of change can have in promoting a more peaceful and inclusive society. By bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds and challenging them to think differently about their assumptions and biases, the program has helped to bridge community divisions and foster a sense of cohesion and belonging. As Northern Ireland continues to grapple with the challenges of racism and sectarianism, the Circle of Change offers a hopeful and inspiring model for promoting positive change and challenging stereotypes. With its focus on storytelling, music, and community cohesion, the program has the potential to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of its participants and the wider community.