Entries by Simpson, Gary

From the very start I've been more of a 'process' guy than an 'events' addict. I place the value of relationship and follow-through above hype and spectacle.

The Northern Ireland Peace Process isn't an event sealed at St. Andrews. It is an ongoing process of change.

Similarly, the leaders Northern Ireland so desperately needs in the future will not come about solely through an extensive catalogue of events.

The real test now is whether we make good on our promises when there's no-one watching.

Q: What were you doing when you were my age?
A: I was studying International Relations at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Q: How did you get to where you are today?
A: I took advantage of opportunities whenever they presented themselves, but more than anything, I think I was just lucky to be in the right places at the right times.

Q: What do you value most in life?
A: I value time with my wife and daughter more than anything else in life.

Q: Who, if anyone, inspires you?
A: I’ve always been inspired by international aid workers; those who have given up the comforts of life to help those who are in need. I think that type of personal sacrifice is truly remarkable.

Q: What advice would you give to a young university graduate from Northern Ireland/Ireland?
A: During my frequent interactions with university students from Northern Ireland, I learned that I’m in no position to be offering advice to them, as most are much brighter than I. I only hope they’ll consider hiring me one day.

Q: How do you view the relationship between Northern Ireland and the United States?
A: I view the relationship between the US and Northern Ireland to be in a moment of great change. Gone are the days when the US followed the ins and outs of the peace process. In its place, is developing a more mature relationship based on mutual economic and cultural benefit for both the US and NI. I think it is an extremely positive relationship that is sustainable over the long-term.

Q: What are your hopes for the next White House Administration?
A: Given my role with the NI Government, I must remain neutral with regard to my desires for the next occupant of the White House. I can, however, say that I hope the new president immediately tackles the most pressing issues that the average American family struggles with every day. How will I afford to keep a roof over my head? Will I be able to put food on the table? If I get sick, is there a system in place to treat me? While issues of war and peace are critical, it is the bread and butter issues that our 44th president must address straight away.

Q: From Disney to the WWE, the U.S. has successfully exported its culture to Northern Ireland. What, if anything, do you think is Northern Ireland’s greatest asset that could be better promoted in the U.S.?
A: I always marvel at the public health and welfare services available to those in need in Northern Ireland. From medical treatment to housing, pensions to education, Northern Ireland does a far better job looking after its citizens than the United States; particularly those at risk.

Q: How do you see the future for Northern Ireland?
A: I’m very optimistic about the future of Northern Ireland. A stable government along with a highly talented workforce provide the key elements of a successful economy. I’m a true believer that if you put people to work, they are less likely to protest in the streets. Northern Ireland has tremendous potential, and I look forward to seeing it exceed it.

Q: What impact, if any, has David Beckham made on the popularity of Football in the U.S.? Could David Healy do a better job?
A: While David Beckham has certainly sold some additional tickets for LA Galaxy games, I don’t think he has had much of an impact on the popularity of the sport in the US. Americans are avid sports fans, but it would be difficult for any sport to make headway in a country dominated by American football, basketball, baseball and NASCAR. Even hockey, which has a long tradition in the States, is struggling to survive. Sadly, David Healy would not have any more luck than Mr. Beckham.

And now the end is near and so I face the final few WIP Events!

It's been an absolute blast. I've loved my time over here (bar the stomach upsets half-way through) The district is beautiful, the people are bright and the work is brilliant!

Like many here I have learned most from my time spent with other people in the team, among others.

There is a lot to be learned from our shared history and diverging cultures. Ultimately the language we use is key to establishing and maintaining a transcending relationship. You cannot enter the domain of reconciliation with aloof terminology, and you must steer clear from your pride getting in the way. You must be prepared to translate your personal beliefs into universal terms that can be understood (if not accepted) by everyone.

Respect plays an equally important role. And respect works both ways. If the other party concerned is not pulling their weight, you cannot keep scores. That way leads to the dark side, as Yoda would say.

Tonight the Irish Embassy awaits! I hope to be back on this before I leave, if not - stay classy Washington!

My final predictions on the elections? Depending on events between now and polling-day (such as World War III) Obama to win!

So I thought I was doing well meeting and being photographed with HRC and Senator Leahy but my brother has just informed me that he has met: Alan Shearer, (Big) Sam Allardyce, Ron Atkinson, Sir Bobby Robson, Pat Jennings, Jim Magilton, Steve Bruce, Mick McCarthy, George Burley and many more! Quick, someone find me the President!!! Heck, gather the G8!!!

Speaking of football I'd just like to pay tribute to the fantastic Mr Kevin Sullivan who has kindly donated a trophy to the lads (plus Heather and Laura) for their weekly football tournament. He named it "Cheso's soccer challenge" but we're gonna have to think about that one.

Last week, thanks to John Callaghan's efforts we all got around the table and had "the talk" - not the birds and the bees - but Northern Ireland; past, present and future.

At first it was a nerve-wracking experience as one misplaced word could have meant becoming the Enemy of the Program.

But I was pleasantly surprised, astounded in fact, by how the session was as peaceful as it was honest.

Whilst there were differing opinions on the current political situation there was general agreement on the need for an alternative approach to politics in order address the immediate concerns over Health, Education, Housing and so on.

I expressed my desire to see our society moving on from viewing the issues through the prism of green and orange politics. Only a conservative/liberal agenda can begin to deliver real results - perhaps one day we may even have an approach to politics that transcends both.

But in order to reach such a position, there must be a realisation of the status quo: Northern Ireland is in Union with the United Kingdom until the people decide otherwise. We can't keep going back to the same old arguments about a United Ireland when there are so many young people tragically ending their own lives within our broken society - for which, in turn, Government must accept some responsibility.

We must get over (but not forget) the past, find common ground and get on with the job!

O say can you see by the dawn's early light
In Washington another homless person has died
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming
Homeless people die from exposure, unprotected from the heat and cold
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
Homeless people die from violence, often in unprovoked hate crimes
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming
Healthcare is a human right. Housing is a human right
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air
In 2007, America imported $217million's worth of fireworks from China
Gave proof through the night that our poor were still there

Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Coming from a small town like Kilkeel it is sometimes easy to forget the outside world in which we are all but a speck. But once again this program has provided a unique opportunity to mix with people I may not normally come across.

Upon arrival those from the South African Washington Internship Program brought a whole new dynamic to the group. I believe that I have already developed a good relationship with some and look forward to doing so with the rest. Not unlike ourselves, they come from a broken society which their generation is in the process of mending.

What I have learned is that it's not the fact that a country has problems that is important, but how it deals with them.

Through sport, culture and economics they have all found a common ground on which to base their framework for a new and better society.

Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. made a lasting impact in their respective countries not because they wanted to be leaders and politicians - but because they were ordinary people who wanted to make a difference.

I leave you with a quote attributed (correctly/incorrectly) to Nelson Mandela:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

So now that I'm becoming more familiarised with Washington I'm beginning to notice a few things about American Society which contrast with what I'm accustomed to back at home.

Of course D.C. cannot be attributed as an accurate microcosm for America as a whole but this is the great 'melting pot' which has a bit of everything good and bad about America.

Patriotism - Here the flag is a source of unity, not division and is proudly hung by people from across the political spectrum, from all regions of the country, transcending religious denominations.

Politics - For all of the supposed apathy amongst voters I have not encountered much yet. Pretty much everyone (including the young) knows who they're going to vote for in November. (If what I've heard is anything to go by, I rate Obama's chances!)

Public Transport - It is affordable and punctual. Here they realise that there must be an incentive to wean people off travelling by car.

Museums - All that I have visited so far are free entry and well maintained. It is my understanding that this is the case with the Zoo also. Perhaps this may be relevant to the stronger awareness of history here.

Media - When you turn on the tv or access a website you don't just get news, but views. There are extremes on both sides which tend to cancel each other out.

Separation between Church and State - Whilst this may obviously vary on a regional basis it has clearly benefited the Nation. But it also benefits the Church which - comparitively speaking - is thriving.

It would do us no harm to learn some lessons from the aforementioned.

Afterword: Luke makes a valid point in response to my previous post concerning the elections. I would add that some of the leaders whose sole claim to fame is their 'experience' have made some of the gravest errors of judgement, e.g. Iraq - which reminds me of one other thing, here the army commands the respect and support of the general public whether they are for or against the war.

Almost 18 months and hundreds of millions of dollars later America finally has its new...democratic nominee.

Why do I care anyway? I look at this campaign as a litmus test for the world at large.

Are we ready to turn off the "experience" firewall in the persuit of change? I hope so.

That is not to say experience is irrelevant. Rather, it is vital and this will surely be reflected in the choice of running-mate.

But sometimes Leadership requires a little vision and audacity. Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt, anyone?

So now that the blog (or journal to call it by its proper name) is finally up it's hard to know where to start.

The past week has been very hot, fast-paced, eventful and did I mention hot?

My host family are Joyce and Richard Schwartz who live in the picturesque leafy suburbs of Chevy Chase. I'm staying with Chris Andrews. The kindness and hospitality has been second to none (and whilst others boast about having a pool - we've got a great cook!)

One of the team's first visits was to the Newseum, that is the News Museum. I was a bit skeptical at first walking in thinking "How on earth do you make a museum out of the news?" But I must say I was very impressed. Great place, excellent exhibits.

Places also visited:

Library of Congress - including private viewings of important documents. Being a Law Student it was awesome to see original letters between the judges in Brown v Board of Education.

Capitol Hill - we were personally welcomed by Senator Leahey, a grandfather of the Democratic Party and a warm, friendly character. A tour followed where we gained access to the viewing gallery where Senator Chris Dodd was curiously addressing, well, the record.

Oakley's Death Tour - including the sobering Arlington Cemetery, the beautiful Lincoln Memorial and the peaceful F.D.R. monument which is more of a park than a traditional monument. The heat was intense but those soldiers guarding the unknown solider in full uniform are tight!

J O Wilson - we had the privilege of spending time with the wonderful young kids in this Elementary School. There was a song, dance, story-telling and even some Irish Language (they now know more than I do). These kids have so much potential and I hope they have the same access to the American Dream as everyone else.

On Friday, we visited the National Press Club at an event which was hosted by the Northern Ireland Bureau. Here Andrew McCullough, Sarah McKegney, Elaine MacDonald and myself delivered speeches on the future for Northern Ireland. We were well received and I got to meet some of the people I am working with - all from Northern Ireland themselves from as far as I could tell. Nice to hear a familiar accent in this cultural melting pot.

Later that night we had a fancy dress party, the theme being 90's icons. I had the honour (grr here it goes again, US spell-check distracting me) of dressing as Jonathan Chesney (what a guy!) Good food again! We also had a host family BBQ earlier in the week with Debb and Kurt, lovely people.

Last night Northern Ireland played the Republic of Ireland in an international friendly (I wish) at Bethesda. We won (of course) but it wasn't easy. There were crunching tackles, people walking onto the pitch stopping play and glow-worms!

Visited a Church on Sunday along with some other fellow-interns, further insight into how things are done a little differently over here!

Saturday night our host-family treated Chris and myself to dinner downtown before heading to the Theater to see the performance of Molière's play "The Imaginary Invalid" which was fantastic. I thoroughly recommend it.

As I read over this it sounds a little too like a holiday but I assure you we've worked hard as well. We had an interesting seminar on networking and another seminar this morning on speech-writing from a DC professional.

At the WIP office today we also had the pleasure of meeting the South Africa WIP interns. We've already included the guys in our plans for football next Sunday.

So far, so good! Hard work starts tomorrow but would I really want to be anywhere else?

On a side note, something HAS been bothering me which has called into question something very important to me. I'm a Maud's man but Giffords Ice Cream is GOOD - and dare I suggest, better?

Ladies and Gentlemen, fellow guests, interns and staff – welcome.

Thank-you for having us here in this beautiful city, the hospitality and kindness of the local people has been overwhelming. From what the rest of the team and myself have already experienced I can confidently state that you have a city to be proud of.

And you know you’re not in Northern Ireland any more when the weather forecast actually comes true. It’s not hard to spot the Irish in this sort of climate.

We’re here on a program which spans beyond the 8 weeks spent here in Washington. For us this is not another academic venture but a life-changing experience, and what an experience it has been thus far.

When translated into our own political context, there is much to be learned from reconciliation in America which can be applied back home. This is why I’m personally looking forward to my internship at the Northern Ireland Bureau.

As I stand before you today our respective countries stand on the brink of profound change. A new direction.

The road up until now has been frought with political deadlock and tragedy.

On the one hand, the United States looks to free itself from its racial stalemate whilst Northern Ireland seeks to bury the corpse of sectarian division.

What has guided progress on both sides is a profound sense of hope.

Bill Clinton came from a town called hope. I’m from a small sea-side town called Kilkeel. My father is from a nearby town called Warrenpoint, where his father – my late grandfather – was the local postmaster. The post office was the family home and during the Troubles it was bombed.

But my family did not allow events to become a pretext to hatred and indeed many throughout the Troubles have shown the remarkable capacity to forgive and move on.

Therefore such prejudices cannot be attributed as generational curses but generational choices. Everyone, regardless of their circumstances, gets to choose for themselves the path they wish to follow.

But for now, enough from myself. Our next speaker who is from Belfast has been following the path of enterprise and investment. Please welcome fellow programme-member Sarah McKegney.

(Sarah Speaks)

Thank-you Sarah. What Sarah has been highlighting to us is the importance of not falling behind in this increasingly globalised world.

Continuing in this trail of thought please welcome Andrew McCullough.

(Andrew Speaks)

Thank-you Andrew

Now our next and final speaker proves the sphere of influence now held by the programme. Please welcome from Longford in the Republic of Ireland, Elaine MacDonald.

(Elaine Speaks)

As you have been hearing the island of Ireland has been moving forward. Much has been invested into Northern Ireland both politically and economically. The politics of fear is slowly but surely bowing the knee to hope.

Hope is colourblind.

It doesn’t matter if it’s green and orange or black and white. In the words of the presumptive deomocratic nomineee, no-one is exempt from the call to find common ground.

And change is not an event, but a process.

And so in the words of our re-appointed Deputy First Minister, there is hard work to be done, step by step by step.

Yet thankfully, following on from the agreement reached at St. Andrews, there is a new path to follow on which to take these steps.

We thank the United States for its support of the peace process and ask that you continue to help where possible. Much has been achieved but there is much to lose without the necesary follow-through.

I leave you with wise words spoken to me as a child: if something’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.

Thank-you and may God Bless America.

(600 words / condensed from 2000)

What were you doing when you were my age?

...I was working for Enoch Powell who was my local Member of Parliament ... I had qualified as an electrical engineer and within two years I would be elected into the Northern Ireland Assembly...

How did you get to where you are today?

It’s been a long journey ... On the 12th of August 1970 my cousin Samuel ... was the first RUC officer to be murdered by the IRA in what became known as The Troubles. Samuel’s death had a major impact obviously on my family...

...I was elected to Parliament and have been a member of the Assembly here as well for a number of years ... I suppose the driving force behind my political career has been my interest in helping to achieve peace and stability for Northern Ireland ... I so disliked the fact that people were killing each other...

What do you value most in life?

...I value my Christian faith, it is very important to me ... without that Christian faith I don’t think I would be where I am today.

What advice would you give to a young university graduate from Northern Ireland/Ireland?

Your future is in Northern Ireland, consider settling here, by all means go across to England or Scotland ... but come back. Northern Ireland has a great future and our young people are the future. The reason why politically we’ve done what we’ve done ... is because we want that better future for our young people...

Faith has played a significant role in politics in recent weeks, what is your approach to reconciling the two?

... Politics is inevitably about the art of compromise. And yet there are key Christian principles that inform my approach to politics that I believe are very important...

...Words are all very well ... but for me as a Christian the most important thing that I do is the practical help and support that I can give to people...

Have you ever encountered a major difficulty which questioned your capacity or even willingness to lead and serve in the public sphere? If so, how did you overcome that?

...Politics can be a very difficult place to be. It can be challenging, it can be nasty at times, it can be hurtful and yet God has always given me the strength ... to see me through those difficult times...

What has been the hardest decision you have had to make as a public servant?

The decision to negotiate with Sinn Feinn ... And yet I recognised that if we were to move on in Northern Ireland ... then there’s no point in talking to your friends, you have to make peace with your enemy and that meant negotiating with Sinn Feinn ... I believe that it was the right decision in the end.

How do you see the future for Northern Ireland?

...I think there is a great future for Northern Ireland ... we need to work towards breaking down the barriers that exist in Northern Ireland. We need to work towards a society which is not just about politicians doing business in Government, but it’s about people learning to respect each other, to respect diversity...

I believe that you are a Chelsea supporter – commiserations – if Roman Abramovich were to call and he asked you to pick a new boss from here on Stormont, who would you choose and why?

...I think out of all of my colleagues here in the Assembly the person that I would most want to manage Chelsea, because I believe he would be committed to the job, is Peter Robinson.

And he wouldn’t be in it for the money whatsoever?
Absolutely not.