Well, I'm entering my third week of work in Belfast and have now had the chance to develop a few more concrete impressions of my time here. Overall, Belfast strikes me as a gritty city in midst of a development boom. The optimism and excitement over the city's future is quite palapable through short conversations with local residents and the presence of many construction sites throughout the city center is also evidence of this. Although this increases the annoyance factor for city residents, I suspect that many will gladly accept this as a price for the city's nascent prosperity.
My work at the CAJ has gone smoothly so far and has involved substantial interaction with government entities such as the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. One process currently making news in Belfast is the lawsuit that various religious churches (Protestant and Catholic) have filed to enjoin goverment legislation guaranteeing equality for the gay and lesbian population from taking effect. The NIRHC, along with other government and civil society organizations has responded in defense of the legislation and regardless of how this process culminates, two things come to mind. It is interesting to note that this is one of the few instances in which members of the Protestant and Catholic churches have banded together on the same side to vigorously contest government legislation. So much for the notion that the two sides can't work together under any circumstances.....
Secondly, I think it's important to note that the concept of equality in Northern Ireland is moving beyond the traditional Catholic v. Protestant mindset to become cognizant of the need to have other at-risk segments of the population included in legislative process.
On a lighter note, the weather is a bit erratic but I'm told that it's to be expected during this time of the year. Till next time....
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