The Columba Initiative or Iomairt Colm Cille is named after Colm Cille (St Columba, 521–597 AD), whose monasteries shaped and spanned the Gaelic world of Ireland and Scotland. It involves Scotland and Ireland, but not the Isle of Man. The Initiative provides a channel for interaction, cultural exchange and relationship building over complex geographical and political boundaries. Its activities include community exchanges, cultural events, language courses and an annual youth parliament.
History
It was launched in 1997 by the President of Ireland, Mary Robinson and Brian Wilson MP, Scottish Minister of State for Education, Industry and Gaelic:
- "to foster support for the Gaelic language (sic) and develop links between Gaelic Scotland and Ireland."
Columba Initiative and Isle of Man
Although the Isle of Man has its own form of Gaelic and its own traditions of Columb Killey, as they know him there, the Columba Initiative refuses to acknowledge the island's Gaelic culture, and gives no funds or backing to Manx projects.
One reason commonly given for this is that the island has no historical connection with the saint. However, the Initiative gives money to projects in parts of Ireland and Scotland, such as Glasgow and Dublin which have no apparent connection either.
Aims
The Columba Initiative was inspired by the demand from Gaelic speakers in Scotland and Ireland for the chance to meet each other more often, and in so doing to learn more of the language, heritage and lifestyles of one another. This interaction is intended to support Gaelic-speaking communities in Ireland and Scotland in the present and future. It aims through its work:
- "to develop strategies and projects in which the Gaelic language in Ireland and Scotland can draw together people from diverse backgrounds, within and between each country and region."
- "to develop new relationships between communities and speakers of Irish and Scottish Gaelic and enhance the links already existing."
- "to facilitate practical and sustainable co-operation between communities, networks and speakers of Irish and Scottish Gaelic in the arts, and in social and cultural matters."
- "to encourage debate on common concerns in social, cultural and economic issues with a view to building self-confidence within the Gaelic language communities."
- "to heighten awareness of the contribution of Gaelic to the cultural identity of both Ireland and Scotland."
- "to foster understanding of the diverse experience and culture of the Irish and Scottish Gaelic communities."
- "to promote and facilitate the learning of Scottish Gaelic in Ireland, and Irish Gaelic in Scotland."
- "to identify, initiate and develop projects and partnerships in line with the above."
See also
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