Peace Graduates

OVER 300 participants graduated from the Department for Social Development 'Reconciliation through Remembrance' project, which was facilitated by the International School for Peace Studies; with well over 150 participants in attendance to receive their certificates at the Waterside Theatre recently.

The graduates, who all received recognised National Open College Network Level I and Level II certificates were all involved in the ‘Conflict Transformation and the Messines Experience’ project.

The project took the participants to the Belgium city of Messines, which was the location of a battle that was a key turning point in the First World War. Central to the battle were the efforts of Protestant and Catholic soldiers from all over the island of Ireland, who fought and died together, side by side.

It is Glen Barr, OBE, Chief Executive of the ISPS that is the driving force behind the Messines concept; “To embrace the story of Mesen/Messines and its spirit of brotherhood is to be freed from the slavery of bigotry and intolerance”

Paul McNaught, North West Development Office added “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to acknowledge and reward those who have attended the International School for Peace Studies. The Department’s Neighbourhood Renewal funding has enabled 350 people to participate on this programme which contributes to our shared future agenda.”

The ‘Conflict Transformation and the Messines Experience’ project enables the graduates to now use the themes of the Messines Programme (shared history and shared future, futility of conflict and reaching consensus, symbolism, valuing diversity and citizenship, peace and reconciliation) and their experience of the programme to benefit others and between their communities for the future.