Integration in Northern Ireland is making progress, despite gloomy headlines | Brian Coney

Cross-community action on culture, sport and schools shows that historical divisions are slowly eroding

Considering recent headlines, you could be forgiven for thinking Northern Ireland was hurtling back towards much darker days. The unrest witnessed in Belfast remains a legitimate concern, with deep-set socioeconomic roots. And we've been given a stark reminder of the Troubles with the inquest into the Ballymurphy massacre. However, despite the hurdles, there is much to suggest a populace who are intent on making a healthier, genuinely integrated society work.

You can trace that commitment back to changes that are unshackling the country from its cyclical history of ethnic conflict and mutual mistrust. In the 23 years since the Good Friday agreement, people in Northern Ireland have repeatedly expressed that there can be no return to bloodshed and brutality in the name of national identity. This is reflected by younger people rejecting the idea of being either British or Irish, in favour of a fluid, fully inclusive Northern Irish identity. A recent poll suggested that while 51% of over-65s here consider themselves British, only 17% of those aged 18-24 identify the same way.