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Across Divides

Across Divides

Written by: Across Divides
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 Across Divides explores the key issues impacting communities on the island of Ireland, focusing on cooperation, connection, and mutual understanding.

In Season 3 we speak with young people about what peace means to them over a quarter of a century since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. The issues faced by young people today are complex and interconnected. They include challenges with climate change and mental health, employment and inclusion. Youth work provides platforms and forums for these issues to be discussed, and we talk through some of the barriers and opportunities for all-island collaborations. In many case,s we find a need for listening and compassion, and direct actions to secure the future of the island’s youth. Young people are well informed on the issues that affect the,m and the series explores some of the innovative ways they are raising their voices to levels where they can have a meaningful impact.

Season 2 takes a deep dive into the Shifting Tides Project, connecting coastal communities and marine environments on the twin shores of Carlingford Lough, working across the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Over six brand new episodes, we discuss global challenges facing our seas, from climate change and pollution, to overfishing and habitat loss; we also reflect on how scientists, artists, and communities are making sense of local issues and finding creative ways to respond, including citizen science, storytelling, music making, and nature restoration.

Producer and Host: Alexander McMaster
Sound Editor: Luke Lacey
Project Director: Suzie Cahn

Season One was a series of conversations and creative reflections about civil society and community work: their contribution to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland’s shared challenges and current and future collaboration on solutions.

The Wheel & NICVA Social Sciences
Episodes
  • S3 Ep5: Understanding and Humanity

    S3 Ep5: Understanding and Humanity
    Jun 10 2025
    Understanding one another is the basis of peacebuilding. In this episode we discuss hidden violence on the island or Ireland and the ways that services can fail to address the complex and interconnected challenges facing young people, including support for people with disabilities and survivors of abuse. The discussion takes us towards an innovative idea for addressing the misalignment of support for young people today on the island of Ireland.

    VOICES:
    • Auxilia Obiafune
    • Noah Shively-Blinn

    WARNING
    This episode includes accounts of physical and sexual violence, specifically Ritual Abuse, Mind Control and Organised Abuse (RAMCOA). If you feel you need support with any of the issues raised in this episode, you can reach out to the following organisations:
    Northern Ireland

    Samaritans: free to call 116 123l or email jo@samaritans.org

    Lifeline (Northern Ireland’s crisis response helpline): 0808 808 8000

    Aware (mental health support for young people) https://aware-ni.org/help-for-young-people

    ChildLine (help to young people in trouble or danger): 0800 1111

    MindWise (mental health support for people of all ages): 028 9040 2323 info@mindwisenv.org

    Republic of Ireland

    NYCI youth mental health signposting tool aims to provide young people, parents, caregivers, and those working with young people, with reliable up to date information on where to access supports and services at both a local and national level for a variety of mental health issues:

    https://www.youth.ie/programmes/youth-health/youth-mental-health-signposting-tool/?paged_nw=3&paged_r=1#nationwide-services

    Ruhama is an Irish NGO and registered charity that offers nationwide support to women impacted by prostitution, sex trafficking and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation:

    https://www.ruhama.ie/about-ruhama/
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    40 mins
  • S3 Ep4: Identity and Culture

    S3 Ep4: Identity and Culture
    Jun 10 2025
    Identity is complex and evolving for young people on the island of Ireland. While there are still deeply rooted histories that influence identity, it is increasingly shaped by openness and diversity as youth seek to define and express themselves on their own terms. In this episode, we look at some of the creative ways that young people are meeting the challenges of complex and multilayered identities so that increasingly diverse collectives of people are able to flourish on this island.

    VOICES:
    • Leou Jiun Chiau
    • Duillean O'Sullivan
    • Deirbhile Larkin
    LINKS:
    British Council Peace and Beyond
    Rainbow Factory
    Irish Council for International Students
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    37 mins
  • S3 Ep3: Climate Change and Peace Building

    S3 Ep3: Climate Change and Peace Building
    Jun 10 2025
    Climate change is an issue that is largely being placed on the shoulders of young people who are not necessarily empowered or equipped to tackle it. This can lead to frustration around the ability of youth to engage with governance processes that directly affect them. Climate change is an all-island issue that demands an aligned response which is representative of its intersectionality. In this episode, we look at the pressures placed on young people to respond to the climate crisis, exploring ideas of climate justice and sustainability, and looking at ways that young people are engaging with one of the greatest challenges of their generation.

    VOICES:
    • Noah Shively-Blinn
    • Franek Dobronski
    • Jane Kyle
    • Eolain Downey
    LINKS:
    Lough Neagh Partnership
    The Boyne Ripple Project
    Sustainable Mobility NI
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    46 mins
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