Welcome back to the Better Peace Podcast for our eighth and final episode, presented by Clodagh, Ellie and Chloe. Today’s episode is a very special one, and not just because it’s the last! Today we are joined by special guests all the way from South Africa! Our guests from Bush Radio are here to reflect on their experiences living and growing up in a post-conflict society.

Ellie begins the conversation by asking about the successes of the South African peace process and the challenges that remain. Although the group reflected on some successes, they noted the continued patterns of racism in South African education systems; the opportunities you are given continue to depend on the colour of your skin. Our podcasters go on to express their feelings about the Northern Irish peace process and what they believe to be the successes and failures of the peace process. They explained that although Northern Ireland has reached a point of relative ‘peace’, lots of our structures and institutions perpetuate sectarian ideals.

We asked how the young people’s involvement in organisations such as Bush Radio have changed their perspective on politics in South Africa and beyond, and they explained how they were grateful to hear others' opinions and challenge their own bias.

We spoke to the young people about the recent South African elections and whether the results make them more or less hopeful for the future. There was disagreement among the group, as some saw the new coalition government as a refreshing change from the status quo, while others saw it as an opportunity for division and political instability. Our podcasters could easily relate to this fear, given the continued instability of the Northern Ireland Assembly’s mandatory coalition.

We spoke about youth involvement in politics and whether or not the respective governments take young people’s opinions seriously. There was some disagreement among the group, which became even more pronounced when the possibility of votes at 16 was introduced.

“The government wouldn’t necessarily do that because they care about our point of view, they would only do it for [better political] engagement.”

“Even though governments might have ulterior motives, if they do bring it into law that 16-year-olds can vote, it’ll force governments to take 16-year-olds seriously.”

We asked the young people from South Africa what their hopes are for the future. Some hoped for improved infrastructure in their communities, whilst others hoped for universal education to be properly implemented. They highlighted the continued corruption in public bodies such as the police, and how this perpetuates violence in their communities.

Our Podcasters could somewhat relate to their concerns involving the housing crisis, prospects for employment and government instability.

“My hope for the future is that our government actually gets stuff done and actually stays working long enough to get stuff done.”

Next, we spoke to Brenda Leonard about Bush Radio’s inception and how they gained their status as the “mother of community radio in Africa.” Bush Radio was developed in the 1980s (during the Apartheid regime) by community activists to explore ways in which grassroots media could be used for social upliftment and as a tool of resistance; they hoped to offer an alternative to the mainstream media available under apartheid. We also spoke to Paul Smyth, Executive Director at Politics in Action, about his involvement with Bush Radio and how they’ve remained connected for over 20 years!

A huge thank you to Jude Hill (Mitchell) and Alan Meban for the production and editing of the Podcast. Another massive thanks to Aoibha Mallon for the amazing podcast soundtrack and finally to our funders. Project supported by the International Fund for Ireland (Our Peace, Our Future fund) and the National Lottery Community Fund NI (Empowering Young People programme).

Welcome back to the seventh episode of the Better Peace Podcast, presented by Chloe and Ellie. Today’s topic has been consistently highlighted as an important one among young people: we’re talking about mental health. In the era of social media, discussions surrounding mental health are increasingly common. To learn more about mental health and the pressures young people face, Chloe and Nicole spoke to Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland, Siobhan O’Neill.

Siobhan explains her role as Mental Health Champion and how she advises government policymakers on their mental health strategy for Northern Ireland. She explains how she came to work in the field of mental health and wellbeing and how her passions stemmed from primary care work with vulnerable individuals.

Siobhan then goes on to explain what she believes to be the biggest barriers to accessing mental healthcare in Northern Ireland. She explains how stigma surrounding mental illness remains one of the primary barriers to people accessing mental health services; those suffering from depression or suicidal thoughts are often unwilling to express their problems, especially in formal healthcare settings such as with their GP, due to the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Siobhan explains that not only are there barriers to access services, but the services are also not set up in a ‘youth-friendly’ manner, discouraging young people from seeking help. She promotes the need to co-produce services with young people so that they are accessible and appropriate.

Nicole goes on to ask what role social media may have played in the rising levels of mental illness in Northern Ireland; Siobhan explains how much of what we consume online can be very damaging and can drive negative self-image, but this is only one factor which is driving mental ill-health.

She speaks about the huge pressures put on young people in school and how these pressures translate into mental illness, especially among young girls.

So how can the government, or perhaps more importantly the education system, begin to address issues of mental illness? Siobhan reflects on the importance of relationships and attachment theory, and advocates that all young people are taught how to build and maintain healthy relationships. She speaks about the importance of a trauma-informed approach in schools and how this will address inequalities within the school system.

“The schooling system mirrors society, where there are winners, losers, inequalities, and therefore you have to get the best job and make the most money…and then you realise… it was never about that, it’s about having something that’s meaningful.”

Siobhan reflects on high suicide rates in Northern Ireland and how these may relate to issues such as intergenerational trauma stemming from The Troubles.

“Suicide needs to be understood as a behavioural response to a crisis, where the person either feels like there is no other option…or they act impulsively in the heat of the moment.”

“Only around half of people who die by suicide have a [disclosed] mental illness.”

Siobhan promotes four pillars to improve mental wellbeing: physical activity, diet, sleep and connection with people.

We closed this episode with a group chat on how mental health has affected us on a personal level, and how issues such as family dynamic and social media can have a huge impact on mental wellbeing.

A huge thank you to Jude Hill (Mitchell) and Alan Meban for the production and editing of the Podcast. Another massive thanks to Aoibha Mallon for the amazing podcast soundtrack and finally to our funders. Project supported by the International Fund for Ireland (Our Peace, Our Future fund) and the National Lottery Community Fund NI (Empowering Young People programme).

Welcome back to the sixth episode of the Better Peace Podcast, presented by Clodagh and Aoife. We thought this was a powerful episode when we recorded it – but the events of recent weeks have given it a new potence. The theme of this episode is diversity. The Crew felt we could be doing more to celebrate difference and include new voices in our discussions about democracy and peace building. They were already concerned about the rise in racism and the far right before these spilled out into xenophobic and anti-Islamic hate crime across the UK and Ireland – with people attached and businesses destroyed on our own streets. It was very fitting that we had recorded these interviews. The episode has taken on a new potence we could not have anticipated.

First, Chloe and Ellie spoke to Inioluwa Olaosebikan (Ini), who moved to Belfast last year from Nigeria. She spoke to us about her advocacy as a volunteer and staff member at Diverse Youth NI and the Belfast City Youth Council, and how these organisations helped her to adjust to living somewhere new. We asked Ini what she thinks about local politicians’ attitudes toward refugees and asylum seekers.

“I don’t think a lot of politicians do advocate for marginalised communities.”

“There's still a long way to go in terms of political representation in the parliament or in the Assembly, but we're off to a good start.”

She spoke about the importance of community support for newcomers and the need for empathy as a tool to understand and support refugees and asylum seekers. Ini explains how various government strategies fail to recognise the needs of newcomer communities, for example, the government’s current mental health strategy.

“It is a good strategy, but it is very, very exclusive. It doesn't include the stories of asylum seekers and refugees or BME communities… We need to be included in these spaces. The current mental health services are not catering to a specific demographic of people.”

“We need to start treating them better for our government to start treating them better, because our government is a reflection of us. The change needs to start with us.”

Next, we spoke to Kate Nicholl, Alliance MLA for South Belfast. Kate moved to Belfast from Zimbabwe when she was 12.

“I can't remember parts of it. But I remember it was grey and it was cold. And I also remember being quite excited about a new life that I was starting. So I have kind of mixed memories and emotions about it, but also an overriding sense that I was very privileged because I was with my mom. My dad lived here. I spoke the language and I had a family network that a lot of newcomers to the city don't have.”

“If I found it so hard as someone who was white, who spoke the language and who had family here, what is it like for people who don’t have any of that?”

Kate explains how her passion for working with refugees and asylum seekers developed throughout her career, and the importance this work poses for her on a personal level.

“The Home Office policy is really toxic and not welcoming. It's designed to not be welcoming.”

Kate is incredibly critical of the Home Office strategy for dealing with immigration and asylum, implemented under the past Conservative government. She highlights the concern that there are no safe and legal routes to asylum in the UK and criticises the lengthy wait to process asylum claims. Kate goes on to discuss her experiences as a woman working in politics. Whilst she received immense support from within her party to progress her career, this was not reflected across the wider political landscape.

“The system still isn't really set up for women, but the more of us are getting elected, the more we're chipping away at it, and hopefully it's getting easier for all the ones that are going to come up behind us.”