THE National Union of Students and USI have jointly published a major guide to student community relations work in Northern Ireland. The guide is designed to promote student political education and reconciliation strategies and provides a background to government, educational and community-sector organisations in Northern Ireland.

From the guide's worryingly comprehensive chronology of Irish history, Campus Times learned that the first inhabitants of Ireland crossed the land bridge from Scotland in 8,000 BC, that in 1714 Catholics held only 7 per cent of land and that the Fair Employment, Act came into effect in 1976.

It also includes lists of political parties, accompanied by potted histories; details of periodicals; government-sponsored agencies; and information on educational and research bodies.

Peter O'Neill, manager of the NUS/USI Student Centre in Belfast, says he hopes the guide will "stimulate students and the general public to engage in the local political process, promoting reconciliation between our diverse communities".

Interestingly, the guide also contains an admirably wide selection of poetry on Northern Ireland: "My favourite tune Boyne Water will please me more and more/ And make my orange heart feel glad in the sash my Father wore." Bet you always wanted to know the words.

The 104-page guide is free and copies are available from the NUS/USI Student Centre (tel: (0801) (232) 244641).