List of Reports

The following links provide the full text (HTML and/or PDFs) of the reports published by Democratic Dialogue between 1995 and 2006. The reports are reproduced at the CAIN site with the permission of the publisher.

Report 1: [HTML version]
Wilson, Robin., et al. (1995). New Thinking for New Times, (Democratic Dialogue Report No.1), (June 1995), [PDF; 348KB]. Belfast: Democratic Dialogue.
Report of DD's launch conference in Belfast in 1995, including keynote address on 'the new context of politics' by Prof. Anthony Giddens, director of the London School of Economics.

Report 2: [HTML version]
Wilson, Robin., et al. (1995). Social Exclusion, Social Inclusion, (Democratic Dialogue Report No.2), (November 1995), [PDF; 527KB]. Belfast: Democratic Dialogue.
An international review of strategies to combat social exclusion, followed by concrete policy proposals to achieve a cohesive society in Northern Ireland.

Report 3: [HTML version]
Wilson, Robin., Morison, John., and Meehan, Elizabeth. (1996). Reconstituting Politics, (Democratic Dialogue Report No.3), (March 1996), [PDF; 375KB]. Belfast: Democratic Dialogue.
Radical new approaches to constitutional possibilities for Northern Ireland, citizen involvement in policy-making and the reinvention of politics itself.

Report 4: [HTML version]
Fearon, Kate., et al. (1996). Power, Politics, Positionings: Women in Northern Ireland, (Democratic Dialogue Report No.4), (October 1996), [PDF; 345KB]. Belfast: Democratic Dialogue.
An assessment of where women stand in the political parties, the voluntary sector and the media, and how their participation in public life can be enhanced.

Report 5: [HTML version]
Wilson, Robin. (ed) (1997). Continentally Challenged: securing Northern Ireland’s place in the European Union, (Democratic Dialogue Report No.5), (February 1997), [PDF; 361KB]. Belfast: Democratic Dialogue.
How Northern Ireland can reposition itself regionally in Europe, and articulate a more cohesive voice, against a fast-moving backdrop of change across the continent.

Report 6: [HTML version]
Fearon, Kate., et al. (1997). Politics: the next generation, (Democratic Dialogue Report No.6), (April 1997), [PDF; 401KB]. Belfast: Democratic Dialogue.
An unprecedented survey of the attitudes of young people, based on questionnaires and focus groups, backing a case for political education and local youth representation.

Report 7: [HTML version]
Hennessey, Tom., and Wilson, Robin. (1997). With All Due Respect: Pluralism and Parity of Esteem, (Democratic Dialogue Report No.7), (June 1997), [PDF; 1848KB]. Belfast: Democratic Dialogue.
Setting Northern Ireland's nationalism debate in the wider context of identity politics, and indicating how 'parity of esteem' can promote pluralism rather than polarisation.

Report 8: [HTML version]
Jarman, Neil., Bryan, Dominic., Caleyron, Nathalie., and de Rosa, Ciro. (1998). Politics in Public: Freedom of Assembly and the Right to Protest, (Democratic Dialogue Report No.8), (March 1998). Belfast: Democratic Dialogue.
A detailed comparative study demonstrating how the 'right to march' is in practice qualified in diverse jurisdictions, pointing to a resolution of Northern Ireland's parades controversy.

Report 9: [HTML version]
Wilson, Robin. (ed) (1998). New Order? - International Models of Peace and Reconciliation, (Democratic Dialogue Report No.9), (May 1998), [PDF; 871KB]. Belfast: Democratic Dialogue.
An assessment of the Belfast agreement in the light of the evolving architecture for security and human rights in Europe, with a focus on non- and inter-governmental organisations.

Report 10: [HTML version]
Wilson, Robin., et al. (1999). Hard Choices: Policy Autonomy and Priority-setting in Public Expenditure, (Democratic Dialogue Report No.10), (December 1998), [PDF; 768KB]. Belfast: Democratic Dialogue.
The result of an exploration with the Eastern Health and Social Services Board and Northern Ireland Economic Council of the fiscal constraints facing Northern Ireland politicians.

Report 11: [HTML version]
Wilson, Robin., et al. (1999). No Frontiers: North-South integration in Ireland, (Democratic Dialogue Report No.11), (June 1999), [PDF; 515KB]. Belfast: Democratic Dialogue.
A report looking at the challenging area of the future of north-south institutions and networks in Ireland in a European context.

Report 12: [HTML version]
Bryan, Dominic., and Jarman, Neil. (1999). Independent Intervention: Monitoring the police, parades and public order, (Democratic Dialogue Report No.12), (August 1999), [PDF; 324KB]. Belfast: Democratic Dialogue.
This report looks at the role members of civil society have played at the numerous disputed parades in Northern Ireland. It focuses on human-rights groups, community activists, mediators and stewards, but also looks at the relevance of monitoring and stewardng for occasions such as sports events and concerts.

Report 13: [HTML version]
Hamber, Brandon., Kulle, Dorte., and Wilson, Robin. (eds) (2001). Future policies for the past, (Democratic Dialogue Report No.13), (February 2001), [PDF; 779KB]. Belfast: Democratic Dialogue.
The report looks at some of the issues of how to address the victims of the three decades of violence in Northern Ireland.

Report 14:
Harvey, Colin., and Ward, Margaret. (eds) (2001). No Welcome Here? Aslyum Seekers and Refugees in Ireland and Britain, (Democratic Dialogue Report No.14), (October 2001), [PDF; 456KB]. Belfast: Democratic Dialogue.
An attempt to inform the debate on asylum and advance practical proposals for the creation of a truly multi-cultural society.

Report 15:
Hamber, Brandon., and Wilson, Robin. (eds) (2003). Recognition and Reckoning: The Way Ahead on Victims Issues, (Democratic Dialogue Report No.15), (April 2003), [PDF; 484KB]. Belfast: Democratic Dialogue.
A further look (see report 13) at victims issues, evaluating the government's victims strategy and developing thinking on the wider issues of truth, justice and recognition.

Report 16:
Hillyard, Paddy., Kelly, Grace., McLaughlin, Eithne., Patsios, Demi., and Tomlinson, Mike. (2003). Bare Necessities: Poverty and Social Exclusion in Northern Ireland: key findings, Democratic Dialogue Report No.16), (October 2003), [PDF; 4761KB]. Belfast: Democratic Dialogue.
An unprecedented large-scale survey of the extent and nature of poverty and social exclusion in the region, with huge policy implications.

Report 17:
Kelly, Grainne., and Hamber, Brandon. (2005). Reconciliation: Rhetoric or relevant?, (Democratic Dialogue Report No.17), (February 2005), [PDF; 399KB]. Belfast: Democratic Dialogue.
An exploration of the meaning of a deeply contested term, drawing on international experience as well as on experience in Northern Ireland.

Report 18:
Hamber, Brandon., and Kelly, Grainne. (2005). A Place for Reconciliation? Conflict and Locality in Northern Ireland, (Democratic Dialogue Report No.18), (September 2005), [PDF; 538KB]. Belfast: Democratic Dialogue.
An investigation of what reconciliation means to elected representatives, council officials and voluntary-sector practitioners in three localities in Northern Ireland.

Report 19:
Wilson, Robin. (2006). What works for reconciliation?, (Democratic Dialogue Report No.19), (October 2006), [PDF; 557KB]. Belfast: Democratic Dialogue.

See also the list of Discussion Papers and Briefing Papers