2024-03-31-annual-report

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CHARITY REFERENCE NUMBER: NIC103618

THE UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT TRUST TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2023-24

& UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31 MARCH 2024

Independently Reviewed by Joseph Walsh FCA Belfast

THE UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT TRUST

Trustees Annual Report 2023 – 2024 4 - 11

Four Areas of Reconciliation Practice

Nurturing Hope Resource
Seeds of Hope Initiative
Weeklong Local and International Summer Learning Journey Events
Drawing Hope Initiative

Future Plans for 2024-27
Independent Examiners Report to The Trustees	12
Statement of Financial Activities	13
Notes to the Financial Statement	14

Trustees: Linda Johnston LLB Hilary Morrow FCA Francis Brady MBE Jim McMillan Dr Dong Jin Kim The Understanding Conflict Trust is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. Registered No: NIC 103618. Inland Revenue Charity Number XO 1033 91 VF

THE UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT TRUST

THE UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT TRUST 2023-24

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT – YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The Trustees present their annual report and the unaudited financial statements for the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024

Reference and Administrative Details

Registered Charity Name The Understanding Conflict Trust

Charity Number NIC 103618

Principal Office

20 Drumavoley Road Ballycastle Co Antrim BT54 6PG

The Trustees at the beginning of 2023-24

Mr J Baird ARIBA Chair (deceased October 2023) Mrs H Morrow FCA Hon Treasurer Ms L Johnson LLB Mr F Brady MBE Mrs C Stockman BA (retired 2023)

During this period: The Chair of the Trust, John Baird, died. Carmel Stockman retired.

The new Trustees are: Mr Jim McMillan and Dr Dong Jin Kim The Interim Chair is Ms L Johnson LLB

Independent Examiner: Mr J Walsh FCA 176 Upper Newtownards Road Belfast BT4 3E

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document

The Understanding Conflict Trust (established 1991) is a registered charity with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.

Appointment of Trustees

The Chair and the Trustees recruit and select new Trustees as needed.

New Trustees are recruited on the relevance of their professional skills, and their potential to make a - helpful contribution to the governance of the charity. As part of the recruitment process, they are made aware of the Trustee’s legal obligations under charitable law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision-making processes, the business plan and recent financial performance of the charity. Once the potential new Trustee has agreed to be considered for the appointment to the role, the Trustees meet to review, and to vote on, the candidate’s suitability for appointment. If there is unanimous agreement, their names are then proposed for appointment to the voting members of the Charity at the next Annual General Meeting.

Trustees: Linda Johnston LLB Hilary Morrow FCA Francis Brady MBE Jim McMillan Dr Dong Jin Kim

The Understanding Conflict Trust is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. Registered No: NIC 103618. Inland Revenue Charity Number XO 1033 91 VF

THE UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT TRUST

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2023 - 2024

APPROVED AT A MEETING OF THE TRUSTEES

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The purposes of the charity are stated in our 1991 Trust Deed as:

“The advancement of Education, in particular, to promote the understanding of conflict in the community.”

The focus of the Trust’s work is associated with the development of reconciliation.

In shaping our objectives for the year and planning our activities, the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

The direct benefits, which flow from the purpose, include:

The development of:

a greater understanding of, and a new openness to, people from diverse, and sometimes previously conflicting, identities;

increased personal skill and confidence in citizens dealing positively with conflict; an increased capacity of community organisations to address community conflict constructively. an increase in the number of reconciliation projects and organisations being formed. reduced levels of fear in the community.

These benefits were evidenced through:

Feedback from individuals and existing groups.

We have had positive feedback from all groups we have worked with.

We have been asked to assist local (United Kingdom) and international (Korea, Japan, Lithuania, USA and Republic of Ireland) educators interested in our ‘Nurturing Hope’ materials and their use with Formal and Informal Educators.

We are establishing educational links with the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, South Africa.

From late 2023 we have made the resource available free of charge as Open-Source materials. This will be associated with the provision of a Community of Practice Learning Hub. This development is being funded by a Philanthropic Learning Partner for 2024 - 2025.

THE UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT TRUST

2023 - 2024 STRAND 1

DEVELOPING “NURTURING HOPE”- A REFLECTIVE LEARNING RESOURCE

In this year our direct work with groups was developed through completing a large 5 volume resource supportive of reconciliation practice locally and internationally:

THE UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT TRUST

Through the Nurturing Hope materials and Learning Journeys we invite people to critically examine the dynamics of relationships and structures, applying them to their lives and contexts. The materials, which are Open Source, are underpinned by fundamental relational understandings that we are all interdependent human beings (Rene Girard, (MSUP, 2013); Roel Kaptein, On the Way of Freedom, (Columba Press,1993), a founding member of UCT.

From conception we are in relationships of both rivalry and trust. These relational dynamics shape our voice and continually bring us into making choices about the character of our relationships and structures with our different others. We have a choice: rivalry, distrust and conflict or finding ways together into openness and trust.

This reflective learning resource invites us to find our individual voices, to reflect on the reasons we have for living in particular ways, and to give one another spaces in which to exercise choices about either continuing in old ways or making changes.

This practice draws on Amartya Sen’s identified need for cultures to support “a reasoned public voice”, John and Valerie Braithwaite’s work on the need for restorative and reconciling practices in our relationships and organisations and the early work of a UCT Associate, the late Professor Frank Wright, on the dynamics of ethnic frontier societies.

‘Nurturing Hope’ is a practical resource from Northern Ireland about people understanding the dynamics of relationships and conflict-affected societies and still choosing to promote hope.

In 2019 UCT wished to support the development of accessible learning materials arising from our work over many years.

‘Nurturing Hope’ is a five-book reflective educational resource for personal and group reflection to support diverse citizens and members of civil society, groups meet together, reflect in a respectful manner, and explore how to promote trust and an openness to the ‘different other’ in family structures, friendships, workplaces, civic, public, social, economic, cultural, religious and political life in conflictaffected societies.

‘Nurturing Hope’ is offered as an invitation to join with us, and others, in an adventure of creating new, more open, relational spaces between people, between groups and within institutions in which people take the risk of meeting together, putting relationships with one another before often very deeply held positions or beliefs.

The wider community already involves groups of people in Northern Ireland, The Republic of Ireland, Great Britain, Colombia, Japan, Lithuania, South Africa, South Korea and the United States.

We offer this freely as an Open-Source Resource through local meetings and zoom seminars, linked through access to the web site of The Corrymeela Community (www.corrymeela.org) and through a Community of Practice (currently being developed).

THE UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT TRUST

2023 - 2024 STRAND 2

The second educational priority-to develop resources that support young people and others gain some distance from relational and societal dynamics that feed rivalry and conflict and that diminish their full potential to contribute to a more open, diverse, shared and just worldwas promoted further by the development of a Pilot Seed of Hope Initiative (see below).

THE UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT TRUST

2023 - 2024 STRAND 3

Building on the initial week long summer Learning Journey in 2022 we have developed a further event for 75 practitioners from 14 countries, including from Northern Ireland, Ireland and Great Britain.

THE UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT TRUST

2023 - 2024 STRAND 4

DRAWING HOPE

Okedongmu Children in Korea (OKCK) is a South Korean peace NGO founded in 1996 by people who love children with the hope that children from North and South Korea can put their arms around each other’s shoulders as they share the ‘same heights’. OKCK works to prevent the history of conflict and division on the Korean Peninsula from repeating itself and help children grow into citizens who can share their hearts and pursue peace.

Drawing Hope is born out of more than two decades of exchange between Korean children on both sides of the peninsula, the Korean diaspora in Japan, and beyond. Through the eyes of children’s self-portraits and self-introductions, the exhibit brings to life the hopes, dreams, and visions of the future from the youngest generations living in a divided peninsula.

The exchange of drawings is a glimmer of hope, a space to meet each other, drawing out the hope from within us to reimagine a world free of division and violence in the spirit of childlike wonder, where beauty lies in seeing each other in full colour .

WHY NORTHERN IRELAND?

Though far in distance from the Korean Peninsula, Northern Ireland shares a common history of division and conflict. As the capital, Belfast has also been the site of countless encounters of political change and reconciliation between communities. In particular, Ulster University’s campus in the city centre opened in 2023 as a symbol of peace and hope, marking the 25[th] anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement. The exhibit aims to serve as a platform for “ translocal[1] learning” and reciprocal empowerment of members of civil society in divided societies, especially through art and peace education.

The uptake and use of published resources that assist an understanding of conflict in the community by individuals and groups making use of the charity .

Our published learning resources continue to be actively used. The printed versions are frequently requested by individuals and groups. We are preparing to offer the Nurturing Hope free to those who wish it via an Open-Source mechanism.

We have established a growing local, Irish and British, and International Learning Network.

Evaluations of our work.

The Secretaries continually evaluate our learning approaches with Trustees.

1 Translocal Learning

Unlike the unidirectional knowledge transfer between international expert and local beneficiaries, the trans-local learning demonstrates aspects of reciprocal empowerment in which local people can have authority in the knowledge shared and generated from local-to-local interactions. International experts are inclined to teach local people with the intention of changing the local society, however, local people in trans-local interactions are primarily interested in learning how to make a positive change to their own society, thereby asking questions rather than teaching. In this way, trans-local learning between different conflict-affected societies features mutual capacity building and solidarity for peace and reconciliation, which leads to self-determination and confidence in action. The trans-local learning spaces are where people can both maintain and transcend their locality without relying on universalised and/or standardised international knowledge. In the trans-local learning journey, those who are resisting protracted mimetic rivalries in their own context can be ontologically secure with their fellow learners from other contexts, without being scapegoated.

THE UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT TRUST

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

The activities, projects and services we employed to achieve the charity’s aims and objectives and further the purpose of the Trust to promote reconciliation were to:

Pursue “the study of the role of traditions in community conflict and the place of tradition in the development of reconciliation in the community.”

During 2023 - 2024 we also:

1. Developed “the exercise and development of a training, supervisory and consultative relationship with community and professional groups”

The Secretaries gave pro-bono time to: the Corrymeela Community, Ballycastle offering pro-bono training on peace building and reconciliation practice.

2. Developed “the authorship, publication and distribution of materials, videos films, papers, books and other documentation… in compliance with the objects.”

We have continued to gather materials developed by (the late) Roel Kaptein and (the late) Frank Wright, Duncan Morrow and Derick Wilson since 1991. Dong Jin Kim has recently published several books on reconciliation.

3. Prepared academic articles relevant to peace and reconciliation practice:

Academic Papers and Chapters for a number of books have been prepared for publication.

2024 - 2027 - FUTURE PLANS

The main purpose and object of the Trust when established was:

“The advancement of Education, in particular, to promote the understanding of conflict in the community.”

The focus of the Trust’s work is associated with the development of reconciliation.

The time given to Nurturing Hope by The Trust Secretary, Associate Secretary and Learning Associate are pro bono.

Background

In our view (Morrow, 2023), reconciliation as a political and civil society challenge has been consistently diluted and relegated in importance in Northern Ireland, relegated in importance by the needs of opposed political traditions less willing to embrace reconciliation in its fullness.

We are now committed to strengthen the ability and capacity of citizens, young and old, to commit to growing experiences of peace (Dong Jin Kim, 2022) in relationships, groups, and organisations through reciprocally empowering one another’s practice, locally and internationally (Kim, 2022). This draws on best current practice internationally and the promotion of a reasoned public discourse (A. Sen, 2009)

Our understanding is that civil society activities, within a broader reconciliation vision, are essential to the securing of wider inter communal understanding and the creation of a more open, shared society.

Trustees: Linda Johnston LLB Hilary Morrow FCA Francis Brady MBE Jim McMillan Dr Dong Jin Kim

The Understanding Conflict Trust is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. Registered No: NIC 103618. Inland Revenue Charity Number XO 1033 91 VF

THE UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT TRUST

In 2023 we had the support of Paul Lee, as UCT Fellow working with The Corrymeela Community with considerable local and international experience to assist with the four strands of practice above. We are grateful to Humanity United for this support and to Paul for his skill and tenacity.

Nurturing Hope Developments: We are working with an independent foundation that has committed to ongoing support for 2024 and beyond. This strategic learning partner wishes to support us with £32,000 in 2024 -2025.

THE UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT TRUST

Trustees: Linda Johnston LLB Hilary Morrow FCA Francis Brady MBE Jim McMillan Dr Dong Jin Kim

The Understanding Conflict Trust is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. Registered No: NIC 103618. Inland Revenue Charity Number XO 1033 91 VF

THE UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT TRUST

Statement of Financial Activities

Year Ended 31 March 2024

Note Income and endowments Donations and legacies Charitable activities Total Income Expenditure Expenditure on charitable activities Total Expenditure Net income and net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward	2024 2023 Unrestricted Funds £ Total Funds £ Total Funds £ - - - 18,957 18,957 9,300 - - 36,961
	18,957 18,957 46,261
	(15,620) (15,620) (53,987)
	(15,620) (15,620) (53,987)

	3,337 3,337 (7,726)
	3,160 3,160 10,886
	6,497 6,497 3,160

The statement of financial activities included all gains and loses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

All income and expenditure in the current and prior year related to unrestricted funds.

THE UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT TRUST

CHARITY REFERENCE NUMBER: NIC103618

Table of Contents

THE UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT TRUST 2023-24

The Trustees at the beginning of 2023-24

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document

Appointment of Trustees

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2023 - 2024

APPROVED AT A MEETING OF THE TRUSTEES

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The purposes of the charity are stated in our 1991 Trust Deed as:

The direct benefits, which flow from the purpose, include:

These benefits were evidenced through:

Feedback from individuals and existing groups.

2023 - 2024 STRAND 1

‘Nurturing Hope’ is a practical resource from Northern Ireland about people understanding the dynamics of relationships and conflict-affected societies and still choosing to promote hope.

2023 - 2024 STRAND 2

2023 - 2024 STRAND 3

2023 - 2024 STRAND 4

DRAWING HOPE

WHY NORTHERN IRELAND?

The uptake and use of published resources that assist an understanding of conflict in the community by individuals and groups making use of the charity .

Evaluations of our work.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Pursue “the study of the role of traditions in community conflict and the place of tradition in the development of reconciliation in the community.”

During 2023 - 2024 we also:

1. Developed “the exercise and development of a training, supervisory and consultative relationship with community and professional groups”

2. Developed “the authorship, publication and distribution of materials, videos films, papers, books and other documentation… in compliance with the objects.”

3. Prepared academic articles relevant to peace and reconciliation practice:

2024 - 2027 - FUTURE PLANS

The main purpose and object of the Trust when established was:

“The advancement of Education, in particular, to promote the understanding of conflict in the community.”

Background

Statement of Financial Activities