Exploring Youth, Paramilitary Groups, and Peacebuilding: Our Research Journey with Belfast YMCA
Hi there!
Did you know that over a quarter of the Netherlands is below sea level? We are Nyncke and
Ylva from the Netherlands. Ylva’s hometown can flood up to 3.5 meters!
Now that we have got your attention; we are two students from Windesheim University and are writing our
bachelor’s thesis with Belfast YMCA. After our previous work for the YMCA in the
Netherlands, YMCA Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) and visits to YMCAs worldwide, we felt a part
of the YMCA family, so we reached out to Belfast YMCA and we are now spending 4 months on placement in Northern Ireland.
Outside of work and our studies, we are good friends. We met each other in the second year
of university, sharing the same friend group. Four continents, four YMCAs, and many
adventures later, we became close friends. Sharing the same interests and work field allows
us to share great experiences during our studies. It is important to mention that we don’t do
everything together. Even though many here think we are twins, here are some of our
differences: we are from different areas in the Netherlands, Ylva is a city girl from the middle
of the Netherlands, and Nyncke is from a countryside region in the North. On holiday, you
can find Ylva in the sun and at the beach, whilst Nyncke loves the cold and the snow. In her
free time, Ylva is a Scout leader, while Nyncke plays a Dutch sport called korfball.
Motivated by our bachelors degree in Global Project and Change Management, and with our interests
in conflict, peace and justice, we thought Northern Ireland would be the perfect place to learn more. With
the deep marks of The Troubles on society, it is fascinating to see how those events shaped
people’s lives. We are honoured that we get to hear all the personal stories and are grateful
for the openness and kindness of the Northern Irish people in sharing, which has been a
large support to us.
Both our research focus on youth regarding the Good Relations in Northern Ireland. Ylva’s
research is about motivations for youth involvement in paramilitary organisations. With the
Troubles in our mind, many want a lasting peace. Why are young people still motivated to
join paramilitary groups, or have reasons to join paramilitary groups changed over time?
These complex questions will be answered through conversations with youth and experts.
Nyncke is researching the attitudes of young people toward Good Relations work. Youth
voices and experiences are overlooked in Good Relations work and decision-making. Talks
with youth groups and interviews with experts on youth and peacebuilding will help identify
these attitudes. To better include youth in peacebuilding in Northern Ireland and create a
better-quality peace.
In addition to our research, you might see us around the Y, at the youth club, at school
sessions, or on other projects.
Much love,
Nyncke and Ylva
