The Good Friday Agreement was signed on April 10, 1998 and is widely recognised as a crucial political event which ended decades of conflict in Northern Ireland. The Agreement has since shaped the political situation in the region and serves as an important historical document. The Agreement is also relevant to our modern world, as it provides an illustration of how negotiations can be used to reach a peaceful political resolution. For this reason, it is important for younger generation to understand the significance of the Good Friday Agreement and the lessons it provides. With this in mind, this blog post provides 5 simple ideas for discussing the Good Friday Agreement in the classroom.
1. Introduction to the Troubles: Have students read a brief overview of the Troubles and the Good Friday Agreement and discuss the impact of the Agreement on the island of Ireland.
2. Primary Source Analysis: Have students analyse the primary source documents related to the Good Friday Agreement. Ask them to consider the language and the objectives of the Agreement.
3. Role Playing: Have students role-play a negotiation session between the two sides in the Troubles. Have them come up with a hypothetical agreement that could end the conflict.
4. Visual Representation: Have students create a visual representation of the Good Friday Agreement. This could be a timeline, a poster, or any other creative representation of their choice.
5. Impact on Society: Have students research and discuss the impact of the Good Friday Agreement on Irish society. Ask them to consider the political, social, and economic effects of the Agreement.