Respect for All in Society

Dialogue For Diversity was set up in Northern Ireland in 2009 by Irish and British Jesuits and others.

Our aim is to respect the dignity of everyone by listening, supporting, encouraging, analysing, and lobbying for greater respect in society, together with marginalised communities.

In Northern Ireland some want to remain part of the UK, some want a United Ireland, and some want something different. There are also many people on the island of Ireland who come from other countries and make an enornous contribution in health care, education, and other areas. We believe that all of us are all called to commit ourselves to the others living in this area, on the island of Ireland, and in the wider world. That means confronting sectarianism and racism, and learning to live with people who differ in their identity and needs from us. That is why we bring divided groups together in the Dialogue Project

Prisoners are marginalised. That seems to be one of the main purposes of prisons. While these are necessary sometimes for public safety, and can also sometimes help individuals, most of the time prisons are not able to help people turn their lives around. This means that many often re-offend. This causes yet more trauma for their victims. Through Community Support we offer support and encouragement to ex-prisoners to help, with others, to break this cycle. While this is an important project we also see the vital necessity to reduce the numbers going to prison, and to find other ways to help people who harm others to change.

Confronting the climate catastrophe is central, because unless we save the planet it does not matter what kind of political structure we have. In this we find inspiration in Pope Francis’ letter Laudato Si’ (Praise Be To You). That for us the importance of the ACRE .