Co-Operation-Ireland-E-Book-2019-LR
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Welcome from Co-operation Ireland I am delighted to introduce this book of peace pledges devised and written by thousands of school pupils from across this island. They offer hope and inspiration to all of us on how people in our society should behave towards one another. The booklet, which was produced to coincide with the first-ever Amazing the Space event at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Maze/Long Kesh, on International Peace Day, 21 September 2016, celebrates the role of this generation in peace-building. With thousands of young people coming together, and even more joining from across the world, Amazing the Space will be a beacon of hope for lasting peace in Northern Ireland and beyond. The iconic Peace Pledge Tree was unveiled in Ebrington Park on Friday 29 November 2019. In recognising the power of people coming together to do something positive, Co-operation Ireland is honoured to be part of this movement, and we hope to continue it for many years to come. Co-operation Ireland would like to recognise the invaluable contribution made to the programme by the local Steering Committee led by Rev Dr David Latimer, the support and guidance provided by the Executive Office, and the creative talent demonstrated by internationally renowned sculptor and artist Maurice Harron, in the creation of the Peace Pledge Tree. I invite you to read these pledges and commit to making them a reality for this generation and future generations. Peter Sheridan Chief Executive Co-operation Ireland My interest in peace building was significantly sharpened during a Tour of Duty as Hospital Chaplain at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan. Disturbed by the ugliness of war, which clearly has no winners, I returned home towards the end of 2008 determined to work for a kind of peace that can be experienced by everyone regardless of their creed or culture. Aware of how the opinions and views of young people can so easily be overlooked progressively led to them being included in my peace building plans. Conversations ensued with the then WELB who readily opened a door enabling direct contact with schools in the former Derry City Council area. Amazingly, every school became involved by writing a twenty-five word peace pledge. Greatly encouraged by this response schools, across NI and in the three Border counties, were subsequently invited to participate. Impressively more than 400 peace pledges have, so far, been created by Controlled, Maintained, Integrated, Irish Medium and Special schools. Essentially each pledge is an expression of what young people, growing up in emerging peace, consider we all must do if we are to live better together. The words and wisdom of so many young people, encapsulated in their peace pledges, confirms they have the capacity to forge a path of good hope that shimmers with peace and prosperity for all. Young people can be agents for change! Rev Dr David Latimer First Derry, Claremont & Monreagh PC 5,000 young people shared with their peers, their aspirations for a peaceful future, at the Eikon Exhibition Centre on International Peace Day, 21 September 2016. Dignitaries who attended the event, presented their own Peace Pledges. Megan Fearon, Junior Minister, The Northern Ireland Executive I pledge to work with a good heart and genuine respect to bring about real progress and the achievement of a genuinely shared future with equal opportunities for all. Reverend Dr David Latimer, Initiative Founder and Steering Group Chair, Pathway to Peace Our young people with their open minds, fresh ideas and positive energy are key to a bright future. Now is the time to include them in forging a path into enduring peace. Martin McGuinness, Deputy First Minister, The Northern Ireland Executive I pledge to work tirelessly with everyone to ensure tolerance, equality and mutual respect become the bedrock of a new and shared future. Alastair Ross, Junior Minister, The Northern Ireland Executive I pledge to play my part in helping make Northern Ireland a more peaceful, prosperous and tolerant society in which we can all live, work and play together. The Peace Pledge Tree and the aspirations of our young people for a peaceful future have been endorsed by all 11 Councils in Northern Ireland, who have also added their own peace pledges. Ards and North Down Borough Council The desire for peace and wellbeing is innate in all human beings; we can, and must, work together to build a shared future for everyone ANTRIM & NEWTOWNABBEY BOROUGH COUNCIL Building a shared society requires a solid footing. Let us lay those foundations now for those who will follow behind to realise our dreams. ARMAGH CITY, BANBRIDGE & CRAIGAVON BOROUGH COUNCIL Young people should live in caring and safe surroundings, leading healthy fulfilling lives, to equip them to shape and nurture a peaceful future for everyone. BELFAST CITY COUNCIL We are a city emerging from a legacy of conflict with a shared and complex history but with ambitions for an inclusive rights-based future. CAUSEWAY COAST & GLENS BOROUGH COUNCIL We all have a role to play in the Pathway to Peace. Let us walk this road together and learn along the way. DERRY CITY & STRABANE DISTRICT COUNCIL May peace take root in your heart. Always let it flourish in your every word and deed. Walk hand in hand with love and compassion. FERMANAGH & OMAGH DISTRICT COUNCIL To use Civic Leadership to build a Peaceful and Cohesive community by working together to reflect on the past to create a positive future for all LISBURN & CASTLEREAGH CITY COUNCIL We will encourage inclusivity and equality of opportunity across all our communities, providing the benefits of a peaceful diverse society, celebrating culture and good relations. MID & EAST ANTRIM BOROUGH COUNCIL Our young people are central to the vision of a peaceful society. We help enable generations achieve a strong, vibrant, safe and inclusive community MID ULSTER DISTRICT COUNCIL Our journey towards peace begun by one generation, to be continued by the next, with ever more hope, with even more open hearts and minds. NEWRY, MOURNE & DOWN DISTRICT COUNCIL Our vision is that we will all live in a society where everyone’s culture, identity and traditions are treated with dignity and respect. Abercorn Primary School, Banbridge We pledge to share, care and be fair. We pledge to respect and trust others. We pledge to help people that are less fortunate. Aghadrumsee Primary School, Roslea I pledge to respect people who are different than me, By not pointing out their differences but by pointing out their similarities. All Saint’s Primary School, Tattysallagh We pledge to…. Work together in harmony; Build strength in our friendships; Love, respect and forgive others, Make our community a positive place to live. Altishane Primary School, Donemana I PLEDGE: to never hurt with words to take criticism on the chin to walk away from fighting to unite together in peace. Antrim Grammar School PUPILS AT ANTRIM GRAMMAR SCHOOLS PLEDGE TO: - Pursue Peace - Challenge Prejudice - Strive for Equality - Treat Others with Respect and Compassion Antrim Primary School I pledge to behave with total honesty and openness, in a responsible, peaceful manner, treating everyone in our community with dignity and respect. Ardstraw Jubilee Primary School Peace in Ardstraw Everyone helps each other All together as a team Compromise if needed Everyone working together Play with everyone Let everyone join in Encourage everyone to look after our environment Do not argue Get together and make a peace group Everyone involved in all activities Artigarvan Primary School, Strabane I Pledge respect, Equality for everyone, Accepting other people, Communities together and balance of opinions, Everyone's right to happiness, calm, safety and peace! Arvalee Special School, Omagh We are all different. We pledge to respect people the way we would like them to respect us Ashfield Boys High School, Belfast H is for honesty. Always be truthful and trustworthy. E is for excellence. We want the best for ALL. A is for attitude. We believe that a positive attitude is a must. R is for respect; for ourselves, others and our community. T is for teamwork. Together we will always achieve more. Ashfield Girls High School, Belfast We pledge to love and care for the community, be comfortable with friends to be kind to strangers because you never know what happens inside them! Ashlea Primary School, Londonderry Derry-Londonderry is the place to be, It’s up to me, Happy, caring, learning and sharing, This city is the place for me. Assumption Grammar School, Ballynahinch Let love live forever in our hearts Let wisdom live forever in our minds And let the Prince of Peace live forever in our souls Aughnacloy Primary School We pledge to be the change we wish to see in our country. Together we will build a future of hope and live in harmony. Aughamullan Primary School, Co Tyrone I pledge to help one another, to be friendly and happy each day I pledge to support my local community. I promise to keep this pledge. Ballymoney High School Hope in our hearts, standing together, united as one. Peace is the goal and we are the players. We can make our community a peaceful place. Ballycastle Controlled Integrated Primary School The past is history, the future a mystery but the present is a gift. Therefore, show kindness and respect to all people in our land. Blessed Patrick O’Loughran Primary School, Castlecaulfield We pledge to live as friends not enemies. Treat others with respect, To find common ground and live as one. Let’s go forward in peace. Ballymoney Model Controlled Integrated Primary School Friendship, harmony and peace all make our world a better place, Let’s work together one and all to be good friends to each other.