Londonderry ‘peace pledge’ smashes Guinness World Record

Pupils from across Londonderry and Donegal gathered at St Mary’s College recently to celebrate a new Guinness World Record (GWR) for ‘Most Signatures on a Scroll’ and to raise awareness for International Day of Peace 2014.
St Cecilia post primary pupils and teacher pictured with Rev David Latimer, as they celebrated the announcement of the new Guinness World Record for 'Most Signatures on a Scroll' at St Mary's College.St Cecilia post primary pupils and teacher pictured with Rev David Latimer, as they celebrated the announcement of the new Guinness World Record for 'Most Signatures on a Scroll' at St Mary's College.
St Cecilia post primary pupils and teacher pictured with Rev David Latimer, as they celebrated the announcement of the new Guinness World Record for 'Most Signatures on a Scroll' at St Mary's College.

The ‘Peace Pledge’ initiative was spearheaded by Rev David Latimer, Minister of First Derry Presbyterian Church, in partnership with the Western Education and Library Board (WELB) and endorsed earlier this year by US Congressman John Lewis and Nobel Laureate John Hume.

The attempt to beat the current GWR of 10,000 signatures was smashed, when pupils revealed the new figure of 14,000 signatures to the audience.

Rev Latimer said: “This should persuade us to listen to the words and wisdom of young people whose energy and brightness can serve as a torchbearer for a country.”

He added: “Young people hope for a world free of poverty, unemployment, inequality and exploitation, moreover, they want a world free of discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, creed, language and gender. These young people can help lead a country to become what they have always hoped for.”

Guest speaker, Mayor of Londonderry Brenda Stevenson, said; “Young people growing up in our city have a role in peace-building. By participating in this Pupils Pledge Peace Initiative, their messages of hope and aspiration to set a new world record for peace has inspired all of us to keep on moving our country forward.”

The scroll will continue its journey around WELB and Donegal area until the end of September 2014.