The Power of Peace

Saint Mary's University Conflict Resolution Society & 

Peaceful Schools International

Belfast 2015/2016 Project

(St. Paul's Primary School, Belfast)

"There are many theories that suggest that violence is learned, well if that is true then that means peace can also be learned and put into practice." 

The Power of Peace

   In Belfast everyone has a story. Every single I person I met from Northern Ireland were storytellers that were thrilled to tell you about their own little piece of history from Belfast, but little did they know was how much of an impression those stories had on me. There is a quote from one of my favourite novels, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire that says, “we are only as strong as we are united, and as weak as we are divided,” which I think helps describe the separation of Catholic and Protestant peoples in Belfast. Maintaining and controlling the separation of Catholic and Protestant schools seems to ultimately perpetuate the fear, strengthens the division, and creates conflict between the two groups. However, when I was talking to people from Belfast I tried not to think of them as Catholic or Protestant, I just listened to their stories, and I discovered that all of the stories had many similarities.

      They were the stories of people living within a post conflict society that is still (nearly thirty years after the Troubles) dealing with the effects of separation, fear, and violence. The program through Peaceful Schools International and the Saint Mary’s University Conflict Resolution Society has taught me the importance that peace education can have on children within this setting. I believe that peace education is the next chapter for eliminating conflict and creating resolution for the people of Belfast.

(Murals from Belfast, Northern Ireland)

      Facilitating workshops in Catholic and Protestant schools as well as engaging with the cross-community youth group Active Communities was a truly eye-opening and nearly unexplainable experience. I was genuinely shocked that children have the abilities to comprehend how conflict occurs everywhere and anywhere, that was when the importance of the project really resonated with me. Children and youth can see and interpret both peace and violence within their everyday contexts. When we were working with Active Communities I saw that young pre-teen boys from Belfast know someone who has been killed due to violence, visits someone who is incarcerated, and fear for a loved one due to alcohol, drugs, or mental health issues. Children within the schools could understand that sometimes mom and dad get into fights, and wars happen all over the world, but they also learned in our workshops that conflict can actually start a lot smaller. Conflict can begin as a disagreement or miscommunication with your friend. Our workshops help encourage children to choose peaceful communication over negative language because that can be the first step to eliminating or de-escalating potential violent situations.

 

(The Conflict Resolution Society working in primary schools and with Active Communities: Cross Community Youth Group)

       With the help of our workshops, primary school children can understand both peace education and conflict resolution and then put it into practice. Controversial issues can be addressed in classrooms if they are taught in ways that are open-minded, interactive, and encouraging. I have learned through this project that the earlier we teach children about conflict resolution within the educational system the easier it is for them to use it within their everyday lives. Children are so attentive to learning and also very impressionable at a young age, following the workshops I have learned that the impressions we have on children, as peace educators will reflect how they choose to treat each other.

       

 

(A glance inside some of the schools we visited)

     The children I have worked with because of Peaceful Schools International and the Saint Mary’s University Conflict Resolution Society have left me with hope that we can all treat other people with more respect through means of communication and conflict resolution. Especially within the Belfast primary schools, I noticed that the children welcomed us with open minds and open hearts. They would give us hugs, play with us on the playground, sing us songs, take selfie after selfie, but nothing was more heart-warming and memorable to me than having them repeat the words of our conflict resolution workshop back to us.  
 

(Heart happy)

      My experiences and observations in the schools in Northern Ireland were eye opening, heart-warming, and life changing. Overall, I noticed that the schools had an ethos of positive acceptance, peace education, and anti-bullying behaviour. However, I think that Belfast, Northern Ireland is a place where religious and political divide as well as socio-economic issues are still contributing towards the separation. Upon considering recent events, such as the bomb that went off a few weeks ago and the 100^th year anniversary of Easter Rising, I believe that children within their schools can benefit from positive communication, conflict resolution, and peace education.

     Following my graduation from Saint Mary’s University it is my dream and goal to pursue a Bachelor of Social Work with a specific focus on youth programming. I have been so inspired by the work that the conflict resolution society has achieved in the Halifax community and abroad in Belfast.  Being chosen as a member of the Conflict Resolution Society as well as a student enrolled in the course Field Study: Peace Education in Northern Ireland, has cultured me about the significance of peace education. After being involved with the project in Halifax and Belfast I truly believe peace education should be a course that is offered at all levels of educational curriculum just like maths, science, art, or history.  We have the ability to educate children on telling stories that are no longer stricken with violence, fear, and separation. Instead they can tell stories of peace, acceptance, and unity. One thing my family has always said following a meal together is ‘stomach full, heart full’ and I can assure you that following this project, working with the amazing team of facilitators and project coordinators, and learning and engaging from children in the community and abroad, has left me with a stomach full of chips and Guinness, but more importantly a heart full of love, stories, and peace.

                          

(I hope to be back someday, Northern Ireland, this is not a good bye, simply a see you later)

                  

Cheers,

Meagan