Paths to Peace

The Tim Parry Scholarship and the Glencree Reconciliation Centre aim to promote peace on this island through understanding.

Below the Glencree Centre outlines a number of courses they offer to schools.
For bookings and more information contact:
Maria McLaughlin, Schools Programme Coordinator
Naoise Kelly, Centre Manager
Glencree Centre for Reconciliation, Glencree, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow
Phone: 01 282 9711/276 6025
Fax: 01 276 6085
Email: info@glencree-cfr.ie

Tim Parry Scholarship

The Tim Parry scholarship was originally set up by Colin and Wendy Parry, whose son Tim (pictured right) was killed in an IRA bomb in the Northern Town of Warrington, England in 1993. The ethos of the scholarship is to create understanding and build peace between Ireland and Britain through educational encounters and workshops dealing with our prejudice towards each other. It is a living memorial to Tim Parry and Jonathan Ball who died with him.

Barbara Jane Smith (18 years) was a participant of the scholarship in 1999. This is her account: 'I learned a great deal about my culture, its people and myself. We were a mixed group of 22 from Belfast, Dublin and Warrington, England. The weeklong trip was divided between Belfast and Derry and Glencree. During this time we enjoyed many unique experiences and shared wonderful opportunities. We met Mo Mowlam at Stormont Buildings and we visited the peace lines in Belfast that divided communities of Protestant and Catholics and left a message on it. We got the opportunity to visit an RUC barracks. In Derry we walked the historic city walls and visited the Bogside where Bloody Sunday happened. Apart from the sights relating to the conflict we saw some of the beauty spots of Northern Ireland including the Giants Causeway.

In addition to these field studies we took part in workshops that tackled prejudice, identities, culture, history and political labels. One very rare opportunity was given to meet ex-paramilitary members. While this was a challenging and difficult encounter it gave us the shocking reality of meeting face-to-face people who had killed for a cause.

This week long trip proved to be a way to understand better the conflict in Northern Ireland and to meet new and interesting people from Britain and Ireland.'

The Schools Programme

The Glencree Peace studies programme was originally created for Transition Year students as a way of dealing with the issues surrounding conflict in our society and was funded by the EU Peace and Reconciliation Fund. It focuses on active learning approaches to understanding ourselves, the groups we belong to, and the world we live in. Underlying all of this is the need to appreciate and respect diversity. The programme is run in the Glencree centre and can last 1-3 days depending on preference of programme. The two and three-day programmes involve an overnight stay at the centre, which always prove to be a mixture of the usual craic and late nights!

Youth Programmes

As well as the school programme, students who take part are offered the opportunity in building on what they learn in their programme through weekend events. These events are outside of school time and involve meeting young people from all over Ireland including the North, Britain and international visitors. The whole emphasis of this work is becoming active in peace building and the centre is a great venue for doing it. Typical weekends are a mixture of workshops, discussion, creative work and social time e.g. games, disco, karaoke and general fun. It's a great opportunity to widen your circle of friends and broaden your understanding of people, prejudice and respect for diversity and relies only on a willingness to participate and enjoy. No qualifications required!

Exchanges

As well as numerous exchanges and trips to Northern Ireland, Glencree has also taken groups of young people to other countries, e.g. England, Belgium, Italy, and Romania. There are always international opportunities in the youth programme. In addition to going to these places we have hosted international groups of young people.

Youth Summer Schools

The Youth summer schools in July-August are always a good time for first timers to get involved in the youth activities of Glencree. In past years these have dealt with Human Rights, The Good Friday Agreement and Culture. We have always an excellent line-up of speakers and events thatare both subject related and social. In the past we have had politicians from all the major parties, refugee and asylum seekers, and traveller representatives, and have visited interesting cultural sites, e.g. mosques, museums, areas that have seen high levels of conflict etc. We provide unique and fun ways to learn about others and the place we live. This year's summer school looks at the issue of Borders - physical, social and psychological and will include the usual mix of workshops, games and social events. During this time we will be hosting Romanian students at the centre plus the usual mix of British and Irish participants. All newcomers are welcome!

Young Politicians Workshops

This work involves the youth wings of all political parties in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Britain. The programme has included weekend seminars in the South and North of Ireland and will be hosted in Wales (May) by Plaid Cymru (The Welsh Party). A youth participant at the 1999 youth summer school initiated this programme.

Other Work

The Glencree centre is always finding new ways of working and new groups to involve in our cross-border, cross-channel and international programmes. Other work in the pipeline includes providing training for young people interested in negotiation and mediation plus further plans to provide alternative dispute resolution. All other ideas are welcome!!

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