Professor Pete Shirlow
A major cross-community initiative is supporting people from different identities to engage constructively in discussion on constitutional futures.
Led by the University of Liverpool's Institute of Irish Studies and funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund, Civic Space 2 has engaged organisations across Northern Ireland to discuss the future of Northern Ireland and the potential for constitutional change within an atmosphere of respectful debate.
The initiative challenges traditional perceptions that conversations about constitutional futures must always be divisive and confined within separate communities. Instead, Civic Space 2 brings together people of all perspectives to engage directly with one another in atmosphere of parity of esteem and mutual respect.
Professor Peter Shirlow of the University of Liverpool, who led the project, said:
"I would encourage everyone with an interest in the constitutional future of Northern Ireland to visit the Civic Space 2 website. You will hear a wide range of voices and perspectives engaged in discussing this vital issue - listening to each other and using persuasive evidence-based argument.
"Through robust fact-checking and inter-community engagement, Civic Space 2 upholds not only the principle of engagement but demonstrates the importance of ensuring that engagement is evidence-based and grounded in a willingness to learn and share between communities."
Working alongside partners including New Gate Arts and Cultural Centre, ABC Health and Leisure Centre (Ardoyne), Compass Points and the GAA, the project has created a wide range of resources reflecting both pro-unity and pro-UK viewpoints.
All Civic Space 2 resources are freely available for use across social media and other platforms. Data referenced throughout the project is fully cited and was accurate at the time of publication.
Civic Space 2 aims to encourage greater public awareness of the range of perspectives that exist within Northern Ireland while supporting constructive engagement on constitutional issues.
About the resources
The project has produced five animations, 15 podcasts and more than 40 fact-based resources, enabling people to explore different views on the constitutional question and the issues that underpin the debate.
The animations include content representing pro-unity and pro-UK voices, alongside an animation produced by the Nevin Economic Research Institute examining the cost-of-living comparison between Belfast and Dublin.
The podcast series features people from North and South discussing the constitutional question, including their hopes, visions for the future and the issues or data they believe should be represented.
The project's Facts Matter resources bring together evidence from both constitutional perspectives, reflecting the importance many participants place on data and evidence.
All Civic Space 2 resources are freely available to use on social media and elsewhere. Data cited within the project is referenced and was correct at the time of publication.
