Dealing with difference in the divided educational context: balancing freedom of expression and non-discrimination in Northern Ireland and Israel

Abstract

It has long been established that an effective citizenship education in a multicultural society must incorporate some exposure to a variety of views on different topics. However, the ability and willingness to deal with difference relating to controversial matters of national identity, narrative and conflict vary. This is not least the case in the ethno-nationally divided and conflict-affected jurisdictions of Northern Ireland and Israel. This article relates qualitative research conducted among students, teachers and policy-makers in these two jurisdictions that explores the area of dealing with difference within citizenship education. Using the starting point of a framework based on international law on education, the article goes on to consider how freedom of expression and non-discrimination are variously interpreted and balanced when exploring controversial issues in the classroom of a divided society.

Keywords::

• Citizenship education
• Northern Ireland
• Israel
• difference
• freedom of expression

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Funding

This research was funded through a Department of Employment and Learning, Northern Ireland Strategic Priority Studentship for doctoral studies at the School of Education, Queen's University Belfast.