Good Relations: A Critical Conversation – Exploring The Impact of Community Cohesion on Youth Work Practice
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May 6, 2026
Springboard Opportunities together with partners from Limavady, L/Derry, Cavan and Monaghan, hosted a roundtable event Good Relations: A Critical Conversation at Queen’s University. Springboard brought together practitioners, academics, and young people for a timely examination of good relations across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The event formed part of the wider Journeys programme, supported by PEACEPLUS and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Journeys works with young people aged 14–24 across key themes including good relations, citizenship, personal development, and employability, aiming to strengthen their capacity to build positive and effective relationships across different backgrounds.
Steph O’Rourke, Executive Director of Springboard, opened the roundtable event by outlining the importance of youth work intervention in post conflict societies. Steph said,
A Youth Work approach is foundational to Good Relations practice, it gives young people the space and support to challenge inherited narratives that simply wouldn’t happen without intentional intervention.”
Professor of Social Psychology, Dr, Shelley McKeown-Jones attended and will pen a policy brief outlining key themes participants raised with a particular focus on how effective good relations work leads to sustained community cohesion.
A series of rotating breakout sessions allowed attendees the opportunity to explore this theme from multiple perspectives. Guest contributors:
- offered grounded, practical guidance and resources to tackle hate and discrimination
- shared lived experiences from young people who have taken part in good relations programmes, reflecting on how trust, honesty, and openness shaped their journeys
- examined peacebuilding, interface engagement, and trust‑building in communities still navigating division
Practitioners gathered in focus groups to explore the current societal landscape, the impact on young people, and identify practical ways to strengthen good relations work. The plenary session that followed brought the full group together to share insights and highlight recurring issues raised throughout the morning.
In closing remarks, a young person, Marcus Chapman shared,
Youth work has a key role within peacebuilding, the continuous exposure to different cultures and people, allows you to get to understand where attitudes come from and build relationships beyond division.”
Springboard thanked attendees for their contributions, and outlined next steps for developing the policy brief and shaping future engagement.
Good Relations: A Critical Conversation highlighted the ongoing need for honest discussion, evidence‑informed practice, and meaningful youth participation. The insights gathered will help shape future delivery, ensuring that good relations work remains relevant, responsive, and firmly rooted in the realities young people face today.
Notes to Editors
- The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a North South Body with the statutory remit for managing EU funding programmes within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
- PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding Programme designed to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland and has a total value of €1.14 billion, to be delivered over the next four years.
- PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.
Photographed: Image of the roundtable event at Queen’s University Belfast
