Citizens for Peace Outside and Within have worked with a group of individuals/organisations since the 2014 International Day of Peace to help promote the relevance of the 2015 International Day of Peace throughout Northern Ireland.
It was our experience that the day had not been previously very well known in Northern Ireland.
The Peace Day group met monthly throughout 2015
Attendees to meetings included
Angila Chada Spring Board Opportunities
Rev. David Latimer 1st Presbyterian Church Derry/Londonderry & Pathways to Peace Project
Denis Stewart Chair of Arts Ireland & promoter of Civic conversations in NI
Professor John Barry Professor of Green Political Economy Queens University Belfast
John Harron I want a non-sectarian Northern Ireland
John McClean Citizens for Peace Outside and Within
Kieran Devlin and Lee Lavis Veterans for Peace
Father Martin Magill Sacred Heart Belfast & Peace Fest
Moya Henry Regain the Agenda
Rob Fairmichael INNATE, the Irish Network for Non-violence, Action, Training and Education
Rev. Simon Henning Presbyterian Church, Ballyblack, Co Down
Ulrike Vieten Research Fellow at QUB in the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation & Social Justice
Willie Maxwell Citizens for Peace Outside and Within
These are some of the events celebrating the 2015 International day of Peace
Empowering young people to be Peace Builders, Oasis Plaza, Omagh Town Centre 10.30am Sept 21st
Peace Day will be marked with the unveiling of 51 Peace Pledges created by pupils attending every school/college in the Omagh District Council area. Each peace pledge articulates what sort of future the children would like to see. Every peace pledge has been transferred onto a stainless steel plaque by Omagh District Council, and is being incorporated into the recently opened Oasis Plaza in the town centre, to provide a collective message of hope. Empowering young people to be peace builders is supported by the Education Authority, Western Region and also by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. Contact person: Rev David Latimer.
“Peace Fest NI” Belfast City Hall 6.30pm-10pm
A Mini Festival bringing people together through music, art, storytelling and dlalogue to celebrate International Day of Peace. #peaceday, #peacedayni , @peacefestni.
Peace, Non-violence and Commemoration, a Civic Conversation
Thursday 24 September 2015 18:00 to 21:00. Queen’s University, Belfast
This conversational gathering is a contribution to marking this year’s International Day of Peace on 21st September. It will be in two parts:
The first part will be a panel session during which several veterans from the UK and Irish armed services will speak briefly about their experiences and their commitments to fostering peace. There will be opportunities, in plenary session, for questions and comments to the panel members.
The second part will a conversational session, during which participants will have opportunity to explore together, in small groups, some of the issues that have emerged from the panel presentations and discussion.
The gathering will be convened by John Barry, Queen’s University Belfast, with assistance from Denis Stewart, International Futures Forum.
What is needed for peace?
7pm MNI 83 University Street, Belfast co-sponsored by INNATE and Mediation Northern Ireland
This is an open space type event. You are the speaker, the listener, and the conversationalist at this evening which will explore what is needed for peace today (in Northern Ireland or further afield). Those who wish to share and provide a focus for discussion will be given 3 minutes (no more) to explain their idea, suggestion or project – all will listen. People will then gravitate for a longer or shorter discussion period to whoever and whatever topics they like. Organised by INNATE www.innatenonviolence.org and MNI www.mediationnorthernireland.org
Peace Day Celebrations in Derry/Londonderry.11:30am at the Guildhall Square
11.45am The Mayor, Elisha McCallion will welcome all hearts and a representative from Heartfulness will guide the audience on how to prepare and relax for the Silent Meditation for Peace.
12:00noon – 1 Minute Silent Meditation – Guildhall Square, and around the City
On the stroke of 12:00 from the Guildhall clock we will commence 1 minute of silent meditation.
12:05pm – Balloon release for Peace – Guildhall Square
A release of heart-shaped biodegradable balloons with this year’s theme “Partnerships for Peace – Dignity for All” as a symbol of our hope and aspiration for World Peace. Derry’s Nobel Laureate John Hume and his wife Pat will lead this
12:15pm Everyone will have the opportunity to complete their ‘wish for peace’ by writing on recyclable paper hearts which will then be placed onto a “Peace Tree” at the Guildhall. Some local schools will read out their Peace pledges to share and spread their intention for World Peace.
“Prayers and readings for peace from a range of traditions, faiths and cultures”
The Indian Community Centre, 86 Clifton Street Belfast, BT13 1AB
12.30pm and 2.00pm
To mark International Peace Day the Northern Ireland Interfaith Forum will host a gathering with prayers and readings on the theme of peace from a range of traditions, faiths and cultures. Everyone is welcome at anytime between 12.30pm and 2.00pm to the Indian Community Centre, 86 Clifton Street BT13 1AB. Readings will take place between 1.15pm and 1.45pm. Feel free to bring a short reading to share. Light lunch provided.
Launch of 10 week TPRF Peace Education Programme
Crawfordsburn Country Park At 2.30pm
To mark and celebrate this year’s International Day of Peace in Northern Ireland the 10 week TPRF Peace Education Programme will be launched at Crawfordsburn Country Park on Peace Day for members of the North Down & Ards U3A (University of the Third Age). The purpose of the programme is to help participants discover their own inner resources—innate tools for living such as inner strength, choice, and hope—and the possibility of personal peace. You can read about the Peace Programme here http://www.tprf.org/programs/peace-education-program/ The event on the 21st is a taster for the Programme and will run for 10 weeks every Monday after that.
Belfast Praying for Peace Around the World
On 21st September (UN International Day of Peace) Christian Aid is hosting a 24 hour prayer, action and giving space at Redeemer Central Church, Donegal Street, Belfast.
The theme of the prayer space will be praying for peace around the world and about the people and places experiencing conflict, such as Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Colombia. There will also be a focus on the wider impacts of conflict, such as the current refugee crisis in Europe.
As well as praying we will be encouraging people to turn their prayers into action, by writing to their local MP and also by giving a donation to our Syria emergency appeal.
The rooms will be set up as a journey, so that people pass through each room and are encouraged to Pray, Act and Give in response to conflict.
The prayer space will be open for a 24 hour period from Midnight on 20th September to Midnight on 21st September. (the space will be open to the public from 7am – midnight on 21st Sept.) For more information contact Dave Thomas dthomas@christian-aid.org or phone (028) 9064 8133
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