Reverend Karen Sethuraman:

I thank the Chair and members of the committee for the invitation to address them today. I grew up in a unionist background in east Belfast, raised by a single mum. I am currently the first and only female Baptist minister on the island of Ireland. I have been involved in ministry life for approximately 20 years and have worked both inside and outside the church walls. My work is focused on peace and reconciliation, and I am a leader of a peace hub, Soulspace, based in north and west Belfast. We are currently in partnership with different organisations such as the Anabaptist Mennonite Network, which connects peace hubs across the world. We are based at Forthspring community centre on the Springfield Road in west Belfast, which is literally built into the peace wall.

I have served as chaplain to two Lord Mayors of Belfast, and I am currently involved in various projects including, the Catholic-Protestant divide, gender equality, racism, LGBT+ rights, interfaith work, and so on. I am a champion of progressive faith and public theology as I believe in equality, inclusion and creating a fair society for all.

Who is my neighbour? This ancient question is foundational to my work. It stems from an ancient story told of a man who was beaten up and left on the side of the road to die. We are told that certain people who saw the wounded man chose to cross the road and ignore him. However, one man responded. He was from a different background, identity, religion and a different community. When he encountered the wounded man he had compassion for him. He took a risk and knelt down into the dirt and dust to help his neighbour. Why is this important? It is important because whether we have faith or not, this ancient story has the potential to help provide a unifying framework to build a nation of neighbours.

What is our context? The Good Friday Agreement is a document that examples this ancient story. The document provides the foundation for building a nation of neighbours with a commitment to "partnership, equality and mutual respect as the basis of relationships within Northern Ireland, between North and South, and between these islands". Twenty three years ago 71% captured the vision and voted "Yes". I am thankful for the brave leaders, peacemakers, thinkers and risk takers who brought about this agreement. I am thankful that my children get to grow up in a different Northern Ireland from what I did. However, we are still a wounded people. We only need to view our media coverage to discover that the political backdrop of Northern Ireland remains both complicated and complex. A few weeks ago I stood with local residents and community activists at the peace wall at Lanark Way. We created a human chain to prevent young people getting to the wall to riot. That evening I witnessed a deep sense of communitasand of togetherness. Ministering in the streets has informed me that the majority of people do not want to return to the past.

What is Ireland’s Future? A few months ago I took part in an online discussion concerning Ireland’s Future. During an era in Irish history when serious consideration is being given regarding possible Irish reunification, the danger is that just like the ancient story of who is my neighbour, we cross the road. In other words, we ignore the rising number of voices wanting to engage in conversations regarding our future. The question therefore is, what is the next stage?

Let us talk about a table of neighbours and a citizens' assembly. I propose that the next step is to set up a fully funded citizens' assembly to provide a table where people from North and South can come together in a place where all voices can be heard. A citizens' assembly extends a conversation from being solely politically-led to include being people-led and providing an opportunity to cast vision, discuss, deliberate, learn and unlearn, and enabling us to plan for the future. Most importantly, the forum would contribute to this unifying framework as a nation of neighbours based on finding our common ground, common values and a common vision regarding healthcare, education, employment, economy, identity and so on. These are what matter to people most. Brexit is a stark reminder of the importance of carrying out the groundwork before a border poll is called. The baton of peace and reconciliation has been passed on to us today. We have a responsibility as peacemakers to have this conversation. There is a little phrase, solvitur ambulando, which means "it is solved as we walk." It is important that we do not cross the road on this. I support the vision of Ireland’s Future and others in the setting up of a citizens' assembly.

In closing, I commend and thank the Government for accepting the amendment put forward in the Seanad last night by Senator Black in respect of the planning and preparing for a citizens' assembly. I thank the Chairman.