Want to find out more about the Northern Slant team? Every week we put 10 questions to our community of contributors – about them, their interests and hopes for Northern Ireland’s future. This week’s interviewee is Julia Flanagan. You can follow Julia on Twitter @JulesFlanagan.

 

1. Tell us about yourself, and why you got involved with Northern Slant.

While completing my undergraduate degree in Politics at Jordanstown, I fell in love with US politics and foreign policy. That led me to Washington DC the following year where I interned for 6 months with a non-profit called the American Council of Young Political Leaders. Following this I completed a Master’s degree in International Relations at Queen’s University Belfast and it was during this time that I began to take a broader interest in the politics and changing dynamics of the Middle East.

I started following Northern Slant last year and I have been incredibly impressed by the platform that Connor [Daly], Jamie [Pow] and the team have built and how much they have their fingers on the pulse of the change happening in Northern Ireland. I was thrilled when Connor approached me about becoming a contributor and I am very excited about the idea of sharing some of my own perspectives and analysis about what is happening around the world.

 

2. Describe Northern Ireland in 5 words.

Welcoming, dysfunctional, scenic, resilient, home.

 

3. What makes you proud to be here?

The resilience and warmth of the Northern Irish people. For a country that has been so deeply divided it never ceases to amaze me, or make me proud, how much people around the world admire us and enjoy spending time in our company. We also live in one of the most beautiful and diverse landscapes on the planet.  

4. Are you hopeful for the future?

Absolutely, how could I not be? I spent the majority of my 20s living away in the US and in London. When I came home to Belfast a couple of years ago, I was struck by how far the city has come in terms of its diversity and culture. I walk through Queen’s most days and I am always uplifted to see so many tourists enjoying their visit to the city. Yes, there is still much progress to be made politically and the current stalemate at Stormont is deeply frustrating, but I have so much hope in my generation and the generations to come that are not and will not be defined by Northern Ireland’s past.

Change is never going to happen overnight, it requires patience, commitment and an understanding of differences. Whether you agreed the outcome of the EU referendum or not, in my mind the result has altered the political and tribal narrative. Northern Ireland is no longer immune to the changes happening globally and there are new priorities which could change the stereotypical mind sets for generations to come.

 

5. If you could change one thing about Northern Ireland, what would it be? 

The Weather!

 

6. Favourite NI celebrity? 

Oliver Jeffers. My choice is a little biased being a friend of the family, but I am always blown away by his ability to articulate messages of kindness and curiosity through his art. I doubt Oliver would consider himself a celebrity but for many children around the world he has captured their imaginations with his gorgeous illustrations and amusing stories, sometimes inspired by his own childhood in Northern Ireland. Not only is he a writer and illustrator, but he has made a name for himself through figurative painting and illustration and in 2013 he co-directed the video for U2’s song ‘Ordinary Love’.

His latest book Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth was number one on the New York Times Best Seller list and won Time Magazine’s 2017 Best Book of the Year award in the Young Adult and Children’s Books category. The book is a soothing yet urgent reminder that in divisive times we must be kinder and more patient with each other and the planet that we inhabit.

7. Politician you most admire, from outside Northern Ireland? 

Some of the most fascinating people in U.S politics at the moment are the ‘Never Trump’ Republicans. So, I must echo Jamie Pow and say Governor John Kasich from Ohio for the very same reasons. Not necessarily a ‘Never Trumper’ but I am particularly fascinated with the current US Ambassador to Russia, Jon Hunstman Jr. A former candidate for President, he has served Democratic and Republican Presidents and with his bi-partisan messaging he might prove to be a unifying figure in the future.

I have been a great admirer of Senator Cory Booker’s since I first saw the documentary Street Fight that chronicled his campaign for Mayor of Newark, New Jersey. I was lucky enough to meet him in October 2016 while I was canvassing for Hillary Clinton in Cleveland, Ohio. I am not usually one to get swept away by a politician’s charisma, but he has such an inspiring presence and wastes no time in reminding people of their civic duty to one another. I have my money on him running for President one day soon.

 

8. Favourite place to bring a visitor?

Newcastle, Co. Down. The view of the Mournes as you are driving out of Dundrum and towards Newcastle gets me every time. I have taken English, American, Canadian and Australian friends to visit and one of my favourite things is to park at the Slieve Donard Hotel and walk out towards Kilkeel, stopping at Olive Bizarre for tea and scones.

9. Potato bread or soda bread?

Potato bread.

 

10. Snow Patrol or Van Morrison?

Van Morrison. ‘Days Like This’ is one of my all time favourites songs.

Also published on Medium.