OUR MISSION

The first international conference for the Ulster Project was held in Milwaukee in 1984. At that time it was decided there was a need for a common logo. Five logos were submitted at the 1985 International Conference in Wilmington, Delaware. Les Didier from Milwaukee designed the logo that was chosen.
The cross represents Christianity. The four cirlces represent the United States (red & blue), Northern Ireland, Catholic (green), and Protestant (orange).
Creating Unity Amidst Diversity
The Conflict in Northern Ireland
Ireland is a country that has been at war for more than 800 years, trapped in a historical pattern that has continued to foster prejudice and mistrust. In the last century, the island was divided into two political units: The Independent Republic of Ireland (predominately native Irish and Catholic) and Northern Ireland (part of Great Britain and includes six counties in the providence of Ulster). Here the polarization of the two factions comes sharply into focus in the form of politically directed violence and isolation by religious communities. (The terms Catholic and Protestant, used in the context of Northern Ireland, designate sides of a political conflict rather than controversy within the Christian faith.) Currently, a fragile peace exists in Northern Ireland under the Good Friday Agreement.
History of the Ulster Project
In 1973 Canon Kerry Waterstone, a Church of Ireland (Anglican) priest, exchanged pastorates with a clergyman in Manchester, Connecticut. During their time in the United States, Canon Waterstone and his wife Edie observed the profound effect the ecumenical spirit of American society had on their own sons.
Following his return to Ireland, Canon Waterstone received a request from two congregations in Connecticut to formulate a plan to help ease the tensions in Northern Ireland. After the experience his own family shared in America, Canon Waterstone felt the attitudes of teens from Northern Ireland could possibly be changed if they could see and experience the way Americans have learned to live together in their “melting-pot” society. The simple plan was to provide a place away from the pressures of peers and society where those teens who might become the future leaders of Northern Ireland could meet and come to know one another as individuals.
After obtaining approval from church leaders, Canon Waterstone traveled into Northern Ireland to secure the cooperation of clergy willing to help in the implementation of his plan. Forming the original guidelines for the Project, he focused on the prejudices and stereotypes that are the root cause of the bitter strife labeled “Catholic/Protestant.” Manchester, Connecticut hosted the first Ulster Project in 1975. Alliance, Ohio became a host site in 1987, joining existing programs that have grown to 28 cities throughout the United States.
The Ulster Project Plan
Because the Catholic/Protestant line has been drawn so sharply that peaceful communication across it is almost non-existent, it is difficult for teenagers to make friends with those of the opposite faith for fear of reprisal from one or both sides. Clearly a need exists for the fostering of tolerance, understanding and friendship between these groups. In order to achieve this goal it is expected that Northern Irish Youth visiting the U.S. will: 1) interact normally as teenagers among themselves and with their American hosts; 2) observe a pluralistic society in home and community life in America that stresses cooperation rather than confrontation; and 3) share their observations with friends and family when they return to Northern Ireland.
The Northern Irish participants range in age from fourteen to sixteen years and have completed the equivalent of our 9th grade. They have been evaluated and selected by teachers and clergy for their leadership potential. Accompanied by two adult counselors, twelve teens (half Catholic and half Protestant; half girls and half boys) live with host families in the Alliance area for a month between the end of June and the end of July. During the month, the entire group of Northern Irish and American host teens meet almost daily for activities including encounter sessions, social functions, community service projects, and worship.
Ireland is a country that has been at war for more than 800 years, trapped in a historical pattern that has continued to foster prejudice and mistrust. In the last century, the island was divided into two political units: The Independent Republic of Ireland (predominately native Irish and Catholic) and Northern Ireland (part of Great Britain and includes six counties in the providence of Ulster). Here the polarization of the two factions comes sharply into focus in the form of politically directed violence and isolation by religious communities. (The terms Catholic and Protestant, used in the context of Northern Ireland, designate sides of a political conflict rather than controversy within the Christian faith.) Currently, a fragile peace exists in Northern Ireland under the Good Friday Agreement.
History of the Ulster Project
In 1973 Canon Kerry Waterstone, a Church of Ireland (Anglican) priest, exchanged pastorates with a clergyman in Manchester, Connecticut. During their time in the United States, Canon Waterstone and his wife Edie observed the profound effect the ecumenical spirit of American society had on their own sons.
Following his return to Ireland, Canon Waterstone received a request from two congregations in Connecticut to formulate a plan to help ease the tensions in Northern Ireland. After the experience his own family shared in America, Canon Waterstone felt the attitudes of teens from Northern Ireland could possibly be changed if they could see and experience the way Americans have learned to live together in their “melting-pot” society. The simple plan was to provide a place away from the pressures of peers and society where those teens who might become the future leaders of Northern Ireland could meet and come to know one another as individuals.
After obtaining approval from church leaders, Canon Waterstone traveled into Northern Ireland to secure the cooperation of clergy willing to help in the implementation of his plan. Forming the original guidelines for the Project, he focused on the prejudices and stereotypes that are the root cause of the bitter strife labeled “Catholic/Protestant.” Manchester, Connecticut hosted the first Ulster Project in 1975. Alliance, Ohio became a host site in 1987, joining existing programs that have grown to 28 cities throughout the United States.
The Ulster Project Plan
Because the Catholic/Protestant line has been drawn so sharply that peaceful communication across it is almost non-existent, it is difficult for teenagers to make friends with those of the opposite faith for fear of reprisal from one or both sides. Clearly a need exists for the fostering of tolerance, understanding and friendship between these groups. In order to achieve this goal it is expected that Northern Irish Youth visiting the U.S. will: 1) interact normally as teenagers among themselves and with their American hosts; 2) observe a pluralistic society in home and community life in America that stresses cooperation rather than confrontation; and 3) share their observations with friends and family when they return to Northern Ireland.
The Northern Irish participants range in age from fourteen to sixteen years and have completed the equivalent of our 9th grade. They have been evaluated and selected by teachers and clergy for their leadership potential. Accompanied by two adult counselors, twelve teens (half Catholic and half Protestant; half girls and half boys) live with host families in the Alliance area for a month between the end of June and the end of July. During the month, the entire group of Northern Irish and American host teens meet almost daily for activities including encounter sessions, social functions, community service projects, and worship.