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National Centre – consultation and engagement
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
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It is crucial that the National Centre project is informed by all relevant stakeholders as part of the process.
An initial, open consultation on the National Centre ran from July to September 2023. Almost 220 responses were received and an independent research company analysed these responses and prepared a detailed report. The report is available to view here.
The Steering Group for the National Centre took some time to review this report in detail and met to agree key commitments as the project moves forward. These commitments are available to read in the Steering Group’s response document. The Steering Group also produced a video outlining its commitments, to make sure people could easily access feedback and information on the National Centre. This video is available below.
The strongest message coming through the responses from survivors and former residents, and their families, was around decision-making. They want to be fully involved at every stage of the Centre’s development, and beyond.
The Steering Group recognises the importance of working in partnership with survivors and former residents, and its commitments include that:
• the Special Advocate for Survivors has joined the Steering Group;
• there will be ongoing engagement and collaboration with survivors on co-creation of the exhibits in the Centre;
• survivors will have a central role in the ongoing governance of the Centre; and
• the National Museum and National Archives will run in-person events so interested people can hear about, and feed back on, international research and work to date.
Other themes that were reflected in the consultation included the need for: equal and inclusive memorialisation; an engaging, authentic and professional museum experience; truth, healing and support; the sensitive treatment of records; and a calm and reflective garden space. The Steering Group has made a series of commitments to address the issues raised under each of these themes.
The first of the in-person events, run by the National Museum and National Archives, will take place later in the summer. These sessions will also involve the Special Advocate. If you’d like to register your interest in attending one of these sessions, please contact nationalcentre@equality.gov.ie . Your details will then be shared with the National Museum and National Archives for planning purposes.
Further consultations and engagement, particularly with survivors and former residents, on specific elements of the Centre will take place in due course, with related updates posted on this page. These consultations will cover things like the museum interpretation experience and the space for reflection, as well as areas of the campus which are of interest to the local community, such as the educational, family and parenting supports.
If you have any questions on this, you can contact us by email on nationalcentre@equality.gov.ie