Big Things

Now that the IRA has announced its move from death to democracy, a peaceful future for Northern Ireland may well be dawning.

To make lasting progress, though, everyone needs to move onto middle ground. Politically, culturally, socially. Instead of Orange and Green, we need an Irish "Third Way", and it's the big challenge of our generation. Are we up to it? Are you up to it?

Peace and social equality, when it comes, will be ushered in not by trumpets and press conferences but by politicians and ordinary folk shifting what they say and what they do.

This isn't rocket science. It's not academic psychology. It's about making lots of little steps to generate trust and respect, and it's not beyond any of us. And it means not living up to your stereotype.

I call it "doing Big Things", because we have to be big to do things differently.

As the NI peace process moves forward, We'll look at current events and some of the wider issues and highlight Big Things that people can do. Leave prejudice outside. Be prepared to be unconventional .

I want to acknowledge - right up front - my Protestant Christian beliefs and cultural identity. I extend goodwill to my Catholic fellow-countrymen and to those of other (or no) faith. We're all in this together.

Welcome, Fáilte.