Opening Up Economic and Social Progress in the 1960s

On Tues 23 November 2021, a panel, chaired by David McCann from Slugger O'Toole discussed the North/South dialogue of pre-Troubles Ireland as well as the social and economic challenges facing the people of both jurisdictions then and now.

A panel considers the North/South dialogue of pre-Troubles Ireland, the social and economic challenges then facing the people of NI and the Republic of Ireland and the very distinct contribution made by Charles Carter and Denis Barritt.

One of the landmark publications about community relations in NI was published in 1962 with the support of the Irish Association. The Northern Ireland Problem – a Study in Group Relations, written by Denis P. Barritt and Charles F. Carter, was the result of a two year survey, work sponsored by the Irish Association.

In addition the panel assesses the social and economic challenges on the island today with particular emphasis on the long-standing divisions within Northern Ireland and whether, post-Brexit, economic relations on the island can be co-operative rather than competitive.

Chair David McCann (deputy editor Slugger O'Toole) was joined by Esmond Birnie (senior economist at Ulster University Business School), Helen Johnston (policy analyst, National Economic and Social Council) and Liam Kennedy (emeritus professor at Queen's University Belfast). Introduced by Irish Association president Stephen O'Douds.

This seminar is part of a wider project which will assess and evaluate the development of Northern Ireland's social, economic and cultural relationships with the rest of the Island at critical moments, including by the Irish Association: the augmentation and development of the cultural heritage of the Irish Association itself. This seminar will be followed up with a further two seminars and a deposit of archive material in PRONI.

This project has been funded through the Shared History Fund, which is a £1million fund that The National Lottery Heritage Fund is distributing on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office, to support groups in marking the Centenary of Northern Ireland in 2021 in a thoughtful, inclusive and engaging way.

Recorded on 23 November 2021 and edited by Alan Meban.