Mediation Northern Ireland

In 1985, a workshop by the Corrymeela Community about Mediation Skills in Conflict lead to a small group of volunteers within the Christian peace group “Fellowship of Reconciliation”. Out of this group the Northern Ireland Conflict and Mediation Association (NICMA) evolved at a large conference in early 1987. Back then NICMA’s interests were already not limited to the Troubles but also included probation, business and practice in training.

NICMA was subsequently renamed the Conflict Mediation Network (CMN) and in 1992 adopted more of an agency structure when the first two staff were appointed (Brendan McAllister and Clare Morrison). NICMA/CMN had previously depended on international volunteers or interns to staff the office, and training and other work was done by the committee. The organisation was subsequently renamed the Mediation Network for Northern Ireland (MNNI). Recognising a change in the need for the Agency’s service here and in other parts of the world the ‘Network’ part was dropped to arrive at the name still used today – Mediation Northern Ireland.

So, in terms of the direct lineage: NICMA 1987 – CMN – MNNI – MNI today.