Seismic changes forced by Brexit, COVID-19 and technological innovations are shaping Northern Ireland beyond recognition, yet much of our political and societal divisions remain stagnant. An emerging generation, often due to economic and career motivations, choose to study, work and live elsewhere.

As the world reopens, on Saturday Northern Slant’s Julia Flanagan asked a panel of political, business and community experts why they should stay and how, together, we can make Northern Ireland a more attractive and inclusive place for everyone.

Joining Julia was Ailbhe Rea (Political Correspondent at the New Statesman), Laney Lenox (Northern Slant), Tina McKenzie (CEO of Staffline Recruitment Ireland, and Chair of the Federation of Small Business NI), and Charmain Jones (Community Relations Officer, Rural Community Network).

You can watch the discussion here, listen on Spotify, and read highlights below.

Thanks to the Imagine! Festival of Ideas and Politics for hosting this event, and to Ryan Simpson for allowing us to use his image of Murlough Beach for the advertisement of this event. Ryan’s on Twitter @RSimpsonPhoto.

“We’ve got to create a place where there’s hope”

Laney Lenox, originally from Louisiana, USA, currently studying in Belfast, shared her frustration that the city’s most deprived areas have not been developed since the Troubles, but expressed hope for the impact community programs can bring.

Ailbhe Rea, from Belfast, has been in England for eight years. After studying there, “it’s a question of where you get a job first. It didn’t feel like a permanent move.” Although many friends recognise advantages of being in NI, such as affordable housing, it’s the convergence of economics and community where things get tricky, even intimidating for some. As a less liberal place than the rest of the UK or the Irish Republic, she said, “I don’t think my gay friends would want to move back.”

Tina McKenzie highlighted challenges NI has to overcome concerning levels of sectarianism, racism, and around women’s rights. Although NI’s economy is more balanced than it used to be and the quality of life and education is arguably much greater compared to other cities, as a result of the pandemic “we’re like a have and have-not society,” particularly in relation to widening skills gaps and mismatches. More than anything, she said, “we’ve got to create a place where there’s hope; a society that respects their neighbour, irrespective of whoever that neighbour is.”

Encouraging Different Perceptions of Opportunity

Charmain Jones outlined how challenges faced by rural communities have been enhanced over the past year, including the digital divide and isolation. “We need to instil in young people that there are good things out there for them – they don’t have to go thousands of miles away to do well.”

Tina suggested we need a revolutionary change in our perceptions of success and ambition, and what a better future should look like. When it comes to persuading politicians to move on initiatives such as lowering corporation tax or promoting Northern Ireland as an enhanced economic zone, for instance, responses tend to point out problems rather than solutions. A large part of how we can move forward, she said, is addressing systemic segregation – in our education system and functioning of government. “We need a better society, not just a better economy.”

Should I Stay or Go?

For Ailbhe, sometimes it takes going away to appreciate what a great place Northern Ireland is to be from. From Tina’s perspective, it’s great to get away, explore and move up in your career, but ultimately NI is a great place to raise a family. Pointing to local advancements in areas like cybersecurity and the green economy, she said, “there are great things happening and you can play your part.”

Charmain highlighted the importance of individual responsibility and how education can be a way out of poverty: “Today Northern Ireland is a multicultural society. There are people coming from outside to live here, because of opportunity. If they can see it and be happy, why can’t we?”

Laney doesn’t intend to stay in NI forever, but her experiences have made her consider the things she’s had here that she mightn’t have had elsewhere. To sell Northern Ireland to friends in the US, she said she’d have to explain the complexity of a place which will continue to offer moments both of frustration and hope.

Also published on Medium.