PDMU — Mutual Understanding in the Local & Wider Community

Key concepts in PDMU

1. 1 Mutual Understanding A core strand of the NI Curriculum's PDMU. Recognising and respecting that people in Northern Ireland have different traditions, religions, cultures, and political identities — and that we share a common home and future.
2. 2 The two main traditions Protestant/Unionist/British and Catholic/Nationalist/Irish. These two traditions have shaped Northern Ireland — sometimes in conflict, increasingly together. But Northern Ireland is also home to many other communities — newcomer, secular, mixed.
3. 3 What we share The same schools, the same hospitals, the same shops, the same football and GAA fans, the same weather, the same beautiful countryside, the same Game of Thrones filming locations, the same desire for a peaceful future.
4. 4 Symbols and identity Different symbols matter to different people — the Union Jack, the Tricolour, GAA jerseys, Rangers and Celtic. Mutual understanding means accepting that other people's symbols matter to them, even if they don't matter to you.
5. 5 Stereotypes Believing that all members of a group are the same. Stereotypes about either community in Northern Ireland are false and unfair. Every person is an individual.
6. 6 Shared Education Schools from different traditions partnering for some lessons or activities. Increasing across NI. Builds friendship and mutual understanding directly through experience.
7. 7 Newcomer communities NI is increasingly diverse. Polish, Lithuanian, Filipino, Indian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Chinese, African, Eastern European communities all contribute to modern NI. Mutual understanding is not just about the two traditional communities.