The Peace PeopleYouth activities and 'Youth for Peace' developed out of the Peace People Movement. Young people have actively been involved in a variety of initiatives to promote and create a better society for all of us, while learning something and giving something as well.
The aim of the Peace People Youth Programme is:
'to facilitate education with young people in Northern Ireland, to enable them to take constructive roles in the development of a more democratic, just and peaceful society'
It happens through all the following:
Most Youth for Peace members have participated in one or more of these. Previous camps have been organised to Israel, Norway, Finland, England, Germany and the Republic of Ireland.
The camps cater for different age groups (from 12 - 25) and participants are approx. 50/50 Catholic/Protestant, Male/Female and come from all over Northern Ireland and from different social backgrounds. This gives young people a forum to share their thoughts and ideas with each other and different cultures.
The Camps are structured around different themes and also include socialising, outdoor activities, arts and crafts, sports and stays with host families.
In June,2001 a group of young people from Youth for Peace, Northern Ireland, participated in the Exchange visit, to Tim Parry/Jonathan Ball Peace Centre, in Warrington, England. The Northern Irish Group was both inter-church and inter-faith, and for the first time included young Muslims from Northern Ireland. This programme was carried in partnership with Glencree Reconciliation Centre, Dublin, and Youth for Peace, and Tim Parry/Jonathan Ball Peace Centre, England.
Youth for peace continues its outreach work across Northern Ireland. Groups currently exist in Crumlin , Strabane, Donegall Pass in Belfast, etc.,
These groups meet regularly, and activities range from hosting political speakers from all major political parties to social events for Youth for peace groups, and peace and nonviolence education. An Outreach Youth Worker, who is based at Peace House in Belfast, provides assistance for groups.
Campaigns focus on Northern Ireland issues, international concerns, letter writing, demonstrations, and other activities the group decide on. School Workshops/Outside Agency training: Training workshops are available re schools and other interested groups around issues pertaining to community relations.
This includes workshops on:
This new initiative draws on the wealth of experience of youth peace people members who have benefited from Peace People Youth Programmes throughout the years. This progamme aims to develop active citizenship and the creation of a richly participate and responsive form of democracy.
Youth for Peace Members participate in a number of fundraising activities every year. The funds raised are used to fund the Youth for Peace group, contribute to camps and exchanges are donated to a designated charity.
Manifesto 2000 - This Manifesto for Peace - distributed by the United Nations, was distributed to be studied and signed as a pledge for peacemaking. Some Youth for Peace members, assisted by Francis Brady, collected signatures to be sent to the United Nations, in New York. Millions of these Manifestos have been collected (from as far afield as China) and the youth for peace continue to encourage young people to become actively involved in the implementation of the principles of peace and nonviolence outlined in the document. (UNESCO www.unesco.org)
'Dallas is Diversity' is an annual multi-faceted campaign that celebrates ethnic and cultural diversity as positive forces. 'Dallas is Diversity' is organised by the Dallas Cup International Youth Soccer tournament and is recognised as one of the most prestigious youth soccer tournaments in the world. This year the Peace People and Boys' and Girls' Club of Northern Ireland have brought together 18 boys from throughout the countryside to provide for them what was an experience of a lifetime.
In the playoffs before going to Dallas, and the follow-up meetings after returning, young people from across the divide in Northern Ireland, came together to share their love of soccer, and form friendships.
This was the 2nd year in which the Peace People helped organize this programme, and on this occasion Mairead Corrigan Maguire, accompanied the team to be present to Open the Games in Dallas.
Our Squad were placed in the following group: Northern Ireland/Dallas/New York/Mexico. P.McNeill, L. Woollard, P. O'Neill, C.McGrath, D. McShane, R. Glenny, C.McLaughlin, P.Prener, J. Stewart, W. Donaldson, M. Whylie, N. Devlin, N. Bradley, P.Lowe, R. Rutherford, G. Lawless and D. Murphy.
We have had many groups visiting from overseas, including Sweden, USA, etc., Exchange groups, included Finland, etc., Volunteers came from England, USA, Italy, and France.
For more info. On Boys and Girls Clubs of N.I. e.mail: office@boyandgirlsclubs-ni.org.uk And 'Dallas for Diversity' visit their website www.dallascup.com
The programme and activities of the Youth section are constantly under review, to take account of our changing environment and particular needs, as well as the skills and expertise which our volunteers at the time can offer.