What went well?

• This week, we managed to interact directly with civic society groups through observing and facilitating initial meetings of the CBenACT program in Dundalk, a IFI-funded cross-border collaboration program comprising CCBS, Creative Spark (business training and technology center in Dundalk, ROI), and Women's Tec (training center for women in Newry, NI). We also had the chance to sit in on an advisory group comprising cross-border civic society and civil service personnel for "Border People" in Armagh, a service providing information on cross-border mobility, work, and study to impacted communities.
• We heard directly from a key figure in early cross-border peacebuilding through interviewing Rory O'Hanlon for publication in the upcoming 2023 Journal of Cross-Border Studies. Mr. O'Hanlon is a former Minister of Health and Chairperson of the Parliament in the Republic of Ireland, representing the border counties of Monaghan and Cavan. Hearing his insights on the multifaceted landscape of the border regions shed light on the successes and failures of peacebuilding efforts in advance of the Good Friday Agreement, highlighting how gradual and consistent dialogue can create common ground in areas such as health and security. 

What could have gone differently?

• Pretty much everything this week was exactly what I'd hoped for - it would have been wonderful to visit Women's Tec in Newry, but we only had the chance to visit Creative Spark's offices in Dundalk, which was quite enlightening in itself. 

What did I learn about myself when working with others?

• I learned that, as much as young volunteers and interns like myself want to contribute and share our ideas, simply listening intently can be immensely more valuable, especially in situations as complex as managing grant funding and managing two sets of legal procedures in a cross-border project. 

What did I learn about leadership?

• Leadership can be more than simply instructing, but the coordinating function can be critical in ensuring success. CCBS serves primarily in a coordinating role alongside Creative Spark and Women's Tec, but its leadership in implementing accountability practices and monitoring frameworks creates the scaffolding for other members of the project to build upon. 

What do I want to develop or focus on next?

• I hope to round out my time in Northern Ireland by focusing on tying these various strands together in preparation for my final reflection.