Peace Studies school launches new reconciliation project

The Messines Experience Programme, which is being co-ordinated by the International School for Peace Studies and is funded under the European Union's PEACE III programme managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the North East PEACE III Partnership, focuses on the real life experiences of the 36th Ulster Division and the 16th Irish Division, who fought together at the Battle of Messines in Belgium on 7th June 1917.

The Messines Experience Programme is managed by the Maydown Ebrington Group’s International School for Peace Studies, which was created to exploit the potential for mutual understanding, respect for differences, and reconciliation through remembrance of the unique events of June 1917, when the traditionally opposing factions of Irish politics, catholic nationalists and protestant unionists, fought side by side for a common cause in Mesen/Messines, Belgium.

Speaking about the programme, North East PEACE III Manager Patricia McCallion, said “The Messines Experience Programme will contribute to reconciliation between communities in the North East area by means of an accredited training programme which focuses on Conflict Transformation. By exploring the experiences of the young men of the 36th Ulster Division and the 16th Irish Division, who fought and died together at Messines, we believe a deep personal and emotional experience can be elicited, one which will support and encourage open and honest dialogue, trust building and the recognition of differences of opinion.”

The programme, one of eight to be delivered in the North East area in the next year, is delivered over seven days and is accredited by the Open College Network at Level One. Part of the training will take place in Messines, Belgium, where groups will experience the battlefields of the Western Front.

Speaking of the relevance of Messines to the learning experience, Craig Barr, coordinator for the International School for Peace Studies, said: “The Battle of Messines in June 1917 was a pivotal point in the First World War. It was a battle in which the men from the Unionist 36th Ulster fought side by side with their Catholic comrades in the Nationalist 16th Irish Division, who drew their men from all over Ireland, North and South.”

“It was and still is a battle that presented great hope for reconciliation between the two traditions in Ireland. The thinking was then as it is now - that if Irishmen can fight and die together, then surely they can live together. Unfortunately, because of events in Ireland, the sacrifices of some of those who died have never been recognised.”

“The Messines Experience Programme is designed to commemorate those sacrifices, but more fundamentally, it is designed to use the historical event of the Battle of Messines as a catalyst for creating an environment of tolerance and understanding, leading to reconciliation and the acceptance of differences throughout Ireland.”

The first of the eight new programmes starts in May 2010. Applications are being sought from community organisations or groups seeking to nominate up to 4 individuals from their group.

Anyone interested in taking part in this exciting new programme or wanting more information should ring The International School for Peace Studies on 028 7131 1005. Application forms are available at www.schoolforpeace.com/application or alternatively at www.northeastpeace.com.

The Messines Experience Programme is the working title for the North East PEACE III Partnership’s Programme 8 - ‘Conflict Resolution Messines Programme’. It is one of a series of programmes being run by the Partnership, which is responsible for managing the European Union’s PEACE III programme in the six local Council areas of Coleraine, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Larne, Limavady and Moyle.