Noli Timere – Christmas reflection from Lord Alderdice
These are difficult and frightening times. Democracy is fraying and peace is hard to find. Those of us who are committed to building democracy and peace could be forgiven for feeling dispirited. So Christmas is all the more welcome for the powerfully paradoxical message that it brings.
At a time of year when it is cold, dark and wet, we come together to celebrate the Dayspring that came in just such a time as a poor, helpless, little refugee, threatened by powerful forces, in a country under violent occupation and yet is for us, two millennia later, still the Prince of Peace and the most powerful, indeed the ultimate inspiration for our lives and our communities.
We may feel downhearted that, in the words of the late great Seamus Heaney, “The world has turned into a big Ulster”. A depressing thought you may feel, but what were Heaney’s last words? According to his son, the Latin text that Seamus Heaney sent by mobile phone to his wife just before his untimely death was ‘Noli Timere’ (Do not be afraid!).
It was the same command that Jesus gave to his disciples in Matthew 14:27. They were out on the water when their boat was caught in a storm. They were terrified, and even when they saw Jesus walking to them on the water they were not reassured, fearing that he was a ghost. But he told them not to be afraid, and instead to be of good cheer.
As our ship of state is tossed about and we seem to be surrounded by the ghosts of past conflicts and assailed by the fear of new ones, may the Christmas Season imbue us with new hope and a re-invigorated commitment to the building of peace, justice and freedom from want and fear. Noli Timere.
Lord Alderdice
Chairman, Centre for Democracy and Peace Building
Polish Ambassador to visit Belfast this week
The Polish Ambassador to the United Kingdom His Excellency Arkady Rzegocki will visit Belfast this week.
The Ambassador, who has held his post since September 2016, will meet with political leaders and senior civil servants to help promote cultural and economic ties between Northern Ireland and Poland.
He will also give a talk at Queen’s University Belfast on “The Role of Poland in Europe in the Context of Brexit” on Thursday, 15 November. On Saturday, 17 November he will join the ceremony of unveiling of Monument dedicated to Polish Airmen at the Cenotaph, Newtownards, while on Sunday, 18 November he will attend the First Congress of Polish Diaspora Education in Belfast.
Poland is the only European Union state with a Consular presence in Northern Ireland and there are deep ties between the two countries, with approximately 30,000 Poles currently living here. The official opening of the new Consulate on Belfast’s Malone Road is expected to take place in the coming weeks.
Polish immigration into Northern Ireland increased after the EU expansion in 2004, however the connection between the two countries goes back decades with Polish forces playing a pivotal role in the Second World War including the 303 (Polish) RAF Squadron which was stationed at Ballyhalbert in Co Down from 1943 to 1944.
This year Poland is also marking its 100th anniversary of the country regaining its independence.
Paweł Majewski, the Polish Consul General in Northern Ireland said:
“This is a very important year for Poland, its people and its diplomatic missions round the world as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Polish independence.”
“We are looking forward to welcoming the Ambassador to meet political and community leaders in Northern Ireland. Visits like this are important to help strengthen and develop the already solid ties between our countries.”
“Those ties are incredibly important both to the Polish government and to the large community of Polish people living here, who contribute so much to the cultural and economic life of Northern Ireland. There’s a proud history of friendship between Northern Ireland and Poland and we look forward to further building on that.”
For further information and to set up an interview with the Ambassador on Friday please contact:
Tomasz Tadla
Vice-consul
Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Belfast
e-mail: Tomasz.Tadla@msz.gov.pl
Tel. 07880706068
International conference to host fringe event in Armagh
The Market Place Theatre Armagh will host an innovative Digital Lab event on Friday 26 October as part of the international ‘Build Peace’ conference in Belfast.
The ‘Peacetech 101 Digital Lab’ event offers a hands-on introduction to the use of innovative technologies in supporting local resilience and the emerging ‘peacetech’ sector.
The fringe event is aimed at those working in the public, private and voluntary sectors with an interest in how new innovative technologies can support and strengthen community development, peacebuilding and economic development in Armagh.
Participants will be introduced to the role of new technology in peacebuilding and economic development and will explore practical examples from around the world.
This unique training event is supported by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. It is free and open to the public and is part of the larger ‘Build Peace’ conference coming to Ulster University Belfast campus between 29 and 31 October.
The conference brings together practitioners, activists, academics, policy makers, artists and technologists from across the world to share experiences and ideas on using technology, arts and other innovations for peacebuilding and conflict transformation.
Councillor Julie Flaherty, Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon said:
“The Peacetech 101 Digital Lab fringe event taking place in Armagh is an extremely welcome addition to the events which are taking place as part of the Build Peace International Conference in Ulster University, Belfast.
“The role of technology in peacebuilding, the community and the economy cannot be overstated. I am thrilled to welcome the fringe event to Armagh which will enable participants to gain valuable experience and bring new skills into the wider community.”
Aaron Taylor, Digital Ambassador for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council said:
“Part of my remit is to bring the digital capabilities of the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area into sharper focus and the Peaceteach 101 Digital Lab provides a unique opportunity for participants to gain hands-on experience of how they can help to drive the local digital economy forward.
“With digital technology changing at a rapid pace, it is important to be trained and ready to keep up with developments. This workshop will help the local digital economy to thrive by ensuring that participants are trained and skilled in the most up-to-date developments, especially in the context of community development and peacebuilding.
“Armagh is the perfect setting to explore these issues and provides the perfect backdrop for the Digital Lab.”
Michaela Ledesma, co-founder and co-director of Build Up added:
“Peacebuilding requires innovation and the Peacetech 101 Digital Lab taking place in Armagh, thanks to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, brings an important opportunity to explore and understand how technology, peacebuilding and economic development can be used together to produce innovative ideas and solutions.”
“Build Up is proud to convene the Build Peace conference. It is an exciting time, with Belfast being the first location in the UK to secure the conference. This will see peacebuilders, activists, artists and technologists from more than 60 different countries come to Northern Ireland.”
Tickets for the Peacetech 101 Digital Lab fringe event in the Market Place Theatre Armagh on the 26 October 2018 from 11.00am – 12.30pm are free, and places can be booked by visiting https://getinvited.to/cdpb/peacetech101/.
Build Peace Conference expected to generate over £345k for local economy says Visit Belfast
Build Peace, the international conference which takes place at the end of October in Belfast is expected to generate over £345,000 for the local economy, according to Visit Belfast – the official tourism marketing agency for the Belfast City Region.
The conference, which took place in Bogota in Colombia in 2017 will see over 300 international and local delegates descend on the city for the 3-day summit. 900 bed nights are also expected to be taken up in local hotels during that time.
Taking place from 29-31 October, at the Ulster University Belfast campus, the conference brings together practitioners, activists, academics, policy makers, artists and technologists from across the world to share experience and ideas on using technology, arts and other innovations for peacebuilding and conflict transformation.
This is the first time that the conference has been held in the UK and it will cover three key themes including creativity and reconciliation, inclusion and social cohesion and sustainability and resilience. Across the three days there will be a series of short talks, dialogues, workshops and interactive exhibitions.
This is the fifth conference in the Build Peace series which started out at MIT in Boston (2014), Cyprus (2015), Zurich (2016) before it went to Colombia in South America last year with Belfast secured as the location for the 2018 conference.
Gerry Lennon, CEO of Visit Belfast said:
“Build Peace is an exciting conference for Belfast and it is fantastic that the city has been selected to deliver the 2018 summit, out of all the cities around the world which competed to secure it. It has already been to the likes of Boston and Bogota and it is a real vote of confidence that Belfast will be added to that prestigious list.”
“With 300 delegates due to attend, it will add a real boost to the economy with over £345,000 expected to be spent and over 900 bed nights taken up in local hotels during the three day it takes place.”
Tina McKenzie, CEO of Grafton Recruitment, said:
“Bringing an international conference of this scale to Belfast will provide a significant boost to the local economy. Attracting a conference of this renown also demonstrates the transformative impact peace has had on Northern Ireland’s business community – generating investment, creating jobs and bringing greater prosperity to a larger number of people.
“Grafton Recruitment is excited to ‘Re-Imagine Prosperity’ during the Build Peace Conference, exploring how further innovations in technology and increased creative thinking can help to reshape employment and positively impact the future of work across Northern Ireland.”
Eva Grosman, CEO of the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building added:
“We are thrilled that Build Peace will take place in Ulster University’s Belfast campus this October. It is now time for Northern Ireland to showcase some remarkable projects, to learn and exchange ideas with colleagues from across the globe and to explore how technology, innovation and creativity can re-shape the economic opportunities, economic organisation and economic power that impact how we live together in peace.”
“We are truly grateful for the support from Ulster University and Visit Belfast in securing this significant conference coming to Belfast this year.”
“We also have to thank key sponsors such as Grafton Recruitment who have helped make it possible to plan such an internationally renowned summit.”
Community Relations Council Bursary for Build Peace 2018
The Community Relations Council has generously sponsored 10 bursaries for young people living in Northern Ireland to attend the Build Peace conference in Belfast from October 29-31.
Build Peace brings together practitioners, activists, academics, policy makers, artists and technologists from around the world to share experience and ideas on using technology, arts and other innovations for peacebuilding and conflict transformation.
Build Peace 2018 will take place at Ulster University in Belfast and is co-organised by Build Up and the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building.
The main theme for the conference will be “Re-imagining Prosperity: Alternative Economies of Peace”. This theme is an invitation to explore how technological innovation and creativity re-shape the economic opportunities, economic organisation, and economic power that impact how we live together in peace – in the Global North and the Global South alike.
The conference will be further structured around three sub-themes:
Creativity & Reconciliation
Inclusion & Social Cohesion
Sustainability & Resilience
Bursary recipients will receive a free conference pass and be invited to a preparatory workshop to network with one another and members of the Build Peace organising team and global community. Travel and accommodation are not provided.
If you wish to be considered for the bursary, kindly complete and submit the information requested below. The conference organising team will notify all applicants by September 30.
Apply at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScoMLfRwVxzGzlZtJZrO9sVAkSZ1U8aluy5idK4Cd61fQtMnQ/viewform
For any further information please contact Michaela Ledesma at michaela@howtobuildup.org or visit conference website at: https://howtobuildpeace.org/
Lord Alderdice awarded Honorary Doctorate
Lord Alderdice has today (Tuesday, July 10) been awarded an Honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Literature) by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
Professor, the Lord Alderdice FRCPsych, is a Liberal Democrat member of the House of Lords and was the Chairman of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords during the Liberal/Conservative Coalition Government.
As Leader of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland he played a significant role in negotiating the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, and when the Northern Ireland Assembly was elected he became the first Speaker of the new Assembly. In 2004 he retired as Speaker on being appointed by the British and Irish Governments to be one of the four members of the international Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), put in place to close down the paramilitary organizations and monitor security normalization.
On presenting Lord Alderdice to the congregation Gwilym Dyfri Jones, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor , said:
“It is my very great privilege this morning to present the Lord Alderdice to receive an honorary degree of Doctor of Literature in recognition of his services to international peace co-operation and the furtherance of intercultural dialogue. Lord Alderdice is a remarkable individual and an excellent role model. His vision, courage and personal commitment to the Irish Peace Process have been outstanding and, through his achievements, a real difference has been made to the lives of the people of Northern Ireland.”
On receiving the award at the ceremony, Lord Alderdice said:
“I’m absolutely delighted and hugely honoured to receive this honour from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. It’s a great pleasure to be here and to share the day with lots of young graduates and to see the opportunities there are for them in their lives.
I’ve had an opportunity to work on issues of conflict resolution in my own part of the world, Northern Ireland and other places as well. It’s a difficult world and we desperately need bright young people to help make a positive difference for the next generation. That’s what these young people are heading out to do now after having a tremendous foundation at the university.”
He has long been active in international liberal politics and was a Vice-President of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party and then President of Liberal International (the global federation of more than 100 liberal political parties). He is now Presidente d’Honneur of Liberal International.
Previously a consultant psychiatrist at the Centre for Psychotherapy he established in Belfast, he is currently a Clinical Professor in Psychiatry at the University of Maryland (Baltimore), Director of the Centre for the Resolution of Intractable Conflict at Harris Manchester College (University of Oxford) and Chairman of the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building (Belfast).
Lord Alderdice has spent a life-time working on understanding and addressing religious fundamentalism, radicalization, terrorism and violent political conflict in various parts of the world. More recently he has also been working on the problems of indigenous peoples and their conflicts with the incomers. He consults, lectures and writes on these issues, and has been recognized with many honorary degrees and prizes, including the International Psychoanalytic Association Award for Extraordinarily Meritorious Service to Psychoanalysis, the World Federation of Scientists Prize for the application of Science to the Cause of Peace and Liberal International’s Prize for Freedom.
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www.uwtsd.ac.uk/news/press-releases/press-2018/lord-alderdice-awarded-honorary-doctorate-.html