dev·o·lu·tion
–noun
the transfer of power or authority from a central government to a local government.
A little over a year ago I went to Northern Ireland on a study program. It was called Religion, Peace, and Conflict. We had studied the complicated history of Northern Ireland and learned about it's ambiguous position in the United Kingdom before we left the states so that when we got there we could ask the people involved about their past experiences and hopes for the future. One day we went to Stormont, the beautiful parliament building that was sitting unused because the leaders of the different political parties could not stand to be in the same building. We talked with representatives from the four major parties for what seemed like the whole day. The DUP rep said that they would probably never become a united Ireland and it would take a long time to trust Sinn Fein. The Sinn Fein rep said he saw Northern Ireland being united with the Republic of Ireland during his lifetime. After hearing all sides of the story I was left with a feeling of hopelessness. How could these parties ever come to a point of understanding and cooperation?
Today I saw this in the news: Historic return for NI Assembly. Wow.
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