Ulster Project International was formed because Father Kerry Waterstone, a Church of Ireland (Anglican) priest, got requests from two congregations in Manchester, Connecticut to come up with a way to bring peace in Northern Ireland (Ulster Project Cincinnati, 2014). Canon Waterstone saw in America how co-existence is possible. He felt that if the teenagers in Northern Ireland had the opportunity to experience America, they would understand that they do not have to give heed to the prejudices and stereotypes that divide Catholics and Protestants.
Once Canon Waterstone was able to get approval from church leaders and get cooperation of the clergy, he was able to put his plan into action. In 1975, the Ulster Project was established in the United States. Once 2003 rolled around, Ulster Project International had blossomed into 28 active American host communities that were in connection with 8 Northern Ireland communities. More than 6,100 teens from Northern Ireland have been a part of Ulster Project programs to date.
The purpose of the Ulster Project is the following, as outlined at http://ulsterprojectcincinnati.org/:
1. To promote reconciliation between Northern Irish Catholics and Protestants by fostering tolerance, understanding, and friendship among teenage future leaders;
2. To present a program that brings Northern Irish teens of differing Christian faiths together in a strife-free atmosphere that emphasizes acceptance of all people, regardless of creed;
3. To educate and encourage persons, particularly supporters, committee members, and American Host Families, to appreciate their roles as peacemakers and mediators and to understand the purposes of Ulster Project;
4. To encourage Northern Irish leaders and clergy involved in the program to continue to foster the spirit of Ulster Project among the Northern Irish participants following each program;
5. To promote a spirit of community and commitment among American Ulster Project participants.
Below is a video trying to recruit adolescents to get involved with Ulster Project Texas.
Once Canon Waterstone was able to get approval from church leaders and get cooperation of the clergy, he was able to put his plan into action. In 1975, the Ulster Project was established in the United States. Once 2003 rolled around, Ulster Project International had blossomed into 28 active American host communities that were in connection with 8 Northern Ireland communities. More than 6,100 teens from Northern Ireland have been a part of Ulster Project programs to date.
The purpose of the Ulster Project is the following, as outlined at http://ulsterprojectcincinnati.org/:
1. To promote reconciliation between Northern Irish Catholics and Protestants by fostering tolerance, understanding, and friendship among teenage future leaders;
2. To present a program that brings Northern Irish teens of differing Christian faiths together in a strife-free atmosphere that emphasizes acceptance of all people, regardless of creed;
3. To educate and encourage persons, particularly supporters, committee members, and American Host Families, to appreciate their roles as peacemakers and mediators and to understand the purposes of Ulster Project;
4. To encourage Northern Irish leaders and clergy involved in the program to continue to foster the spirit of Ulster Project among the Northern Irish participants following each program;
5. To promote a spirit of community and commitment among American Ulster Project participants.
Below is a video trying to recruit adolescents to get involved with Ulster Project Texas.