About NICEC
Launched in February 2004 and closed in December 2006, NICEC was funded by Peace II through the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) as well as the University of Ulster and was based at the Aberfoyle House of the University's Magee campus. Its project title was “Shared Learning: From the Local to the Global and Back Again,” which saught to facilitate reciprocal learning between Northern Ireland and the EU, accession countries, and the Commonwealth of Independent States through its two Major Themes:
- Diversity and Conflict Management (DCM) ....
- Social and Cultural Regeneration (SCR) ....
This was achieved through a total of 56 activities, more than 73 publications and the involvement of over 24 countries. The dialogue stimulated and learning captured within the themes informed policy development for the target audience, the "core policy network," defined as senior civil servants, politicians, and practitioners delivering policy in the themes' areas. There was also the Peace II requirement that ensured the project had sufficient reach at local community levels to enable a contribution to the key Peace II objectives of addressing the legacy of the conflict and taking oppurtunities arising from peace. Through various conferences, study visits, meetings/briefings, publications and seminars, NICEC encouraged participation from all sectors in efforts to achieve the Project's Objectives:
- Creation of sustainable long-term partnerships between relevant stakeholders in Northern Ireland and in targeted EU and greater European states and regions.
- Promotion of applied policy learning in Northern Ireland and in Europe through a range of mechanisms (best practice exchanges, discussion seminars, technical assistance projects, accredited training, showcasing events & conferences) which will promote the effective of the networks.
- Encouragement of cross sectoral (public, private and voluntary/community) transjurisdictional learning and to promote cross sectoral synergies out of which new networks will emerge.
- Building of sustainable self sufficient networks through own or alternative funding sources in recognition of the value of their activities.
The people involved through the life of the project include it's Management Committee, chaired by the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Ann Moran with others representatives including The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Bob Welsh, Director if INCORE, Professor Gillian Robinson, Professor of Comparative Public Policy, Professor Colin Knox, Head of Cultural Development, Kate Bond and Finance Department nominee, Nigel McFarland. Two Project Officers served as theme leaders, Nollaig O Fionghaile for Social and Cultural Regeneration supported by a research assistant, Miriam Crozier and Helen Lewis for Diversity and Conflict Management, supported by a research assistant, Eljse Fourie. Administrative and financial support was provided to both themes by Mr. George Sweeney.
Links
NICEC homepage
Partners in project development:
NICEC
staff
INCORE:
Specialist Units: NICEC - Northern Ireland Centre for European Co-operation 
