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Centre for Democracy and Peace Building Annual Report 2022 – 2023

April 27, 2023/in News /by admin

CHAIR’S REMARKS This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in N Ireland/Ireland, which was been celebrated by the visitations and addresses by current and former […]

Hiroshima: City of Peace Study Visit

March 31, 2023/in News /by admin

On the 26 February, four delegates from Northern Ireland, Oxford and New York gathered in Hiroshima, Japan, to embark on a six day exploration of the city that suffered the horrors and destruction of the atomic bomb on 6 August 1945. At the heart of the UME Oleander Initiative programme was the intersection of public space, art and historical memory, with the guiding question for the five days; what lessons from Hiroshima can be applied to your own context?

Centre for Democracy and Peace Building Annual Report 2022 – 2023

April 27, 2023/in News /by admin

Hiroshima: City of Peace Study Visit

March 31, 2023/in News /by admin

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Centre for Democracy and Peace Building Annual Report 2022 – 2023

April 27, 2023/in News /by admin

CHAIR’S REMARKS

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in N Ireland/Ireland, which was been celebrated by the visitations and addresses by current and former Presidents of the United States of America, current and former Prime Ministers of the UK, current and former Taoisigh of the Republic of Ireland and the President of the European Commission.

Notwithstanding the important events that have taken place earlier this year, it is important to remember that democracy, reconciliation and peacebuilding is an ongoing daily process and not an one off event. In that respect I hope that peace efforts here in N Ireland will continue to bear fruit which will reflect unity in diversity in all aspects of our lives, and in our institutions of government, which I hope can be restored shortly.

As we mark this important anniversary on the island of Ireland, there has never been a greater need across the world for people to work for democracy and reconciliation and to continuously participate in peacebuilding. We have witnessed ongoing terror and violence in Ukraine and a war waged against innocent people and democratic political institutions. Only lately, we have seen the horrors of terrorism and violence in Sudan and Yemen. All the violence perpetrated against communities and people is underlining the compelling imperative and importance of the ongoing process of democracy and peacebuilding.

Centre for Democracy and Peace Building continues to be involved in important work in supporting current and future leaders. Our work encompasses the important Fellowship programme, which is aimed at political, business and civic leaders in Northern Ireland who were and will continue to be involved in paving a new, prosperous future for our region. This flagship programme is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin, Allstate NI, Devenish, FinTrU, Fujitsu NI, Ulster Carpets, the Irish American Partnership and our new partner Norther Ireland Electricity Networks.

Other important work includes the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement Course, Leadership in Arts and Culture, Re-thinking Leadership series, collaborative work with the UME Oleander Initiative programmes in Japan and the partnership with the John Smith Trust.

All this work is carried out under the strategic direction of our Board – of which I am proud to be Chair along with my director colleagues, and the dynamic work of Eva Grosman who is our Chief Executive. Eva is a powerhouse and has provided dynamic leadership in these islands in terms of peacebuilding and democracy.

We and the wider community owe Eva an enormous debt of gratitude and heartfelt thanks. I hope to continue to work with Eva, her team and our directors to ensure that the objectives of the organisation can continue to be fulfilled – particularly as we move on from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We also owe a debt of gratitude to many business leaders and academics who have supported our mission and peacebuilding work over several years. Such combined efforts are vitally important in working towards fulfilling our commitments to democracy and peacebuilding locally and internationally.

Baroness Margaret Ritchie of Downpatrick

Read the Report here

Hiroshima: City of Peace Study Visit

March 31, 2023/in News /by admin

CDPB collaborates with the UME Oleander Initiative to deliver the Art, Memory and Peace Programme in Hiroshima, Japan.

The delegation began its journey right at the very heart of Hiroshima, learning about the city through a guided tour of the Peace Park as well as a visit to the recently refurbished Peace Memorial Museum, focusing on the aftermath of the atomic bomb and how Hiroshima suffered, recovered and now prospers as a city of peace, seventy-eight years on. The A-bomb dome, found just outside the Peace Park, is the perfect illustration of Hiroshima’s resilience. The building, although smashed and shattered, remains standing for all to see. The interplay of hope and devastation is etched into the fabric of the city.

The group also took a trip to Hifukushisho, a former Japanese Army clothing depot that housed over 2,000 workers and their families. The building survives to this day and is a point of contention in the city, reminding people of Hiroshima’s deep history as a military city prior to 1945. The preservation of the building highlights the complex issue of seeking to move on as a city of peace whilst acknowledging an uncomfortable past:

The highlight of the trip was the day spent with Toshiko Tanaka. Toshiko-san is a hibakusha, a survivor of the atomic bomb. The delegates were able to hear her powerful retelling of 6 August 1945, a testimony marked by the juxtaposition of pain and suffering with hope and joy. To be able to sit down with a hibakusha and hear their testimony and ask questions is a rare opportunity and it was a real honour and privilege the delegation will never forget. The day also consisted of an enamel workshop with Toshiko-san, whose art has been showcased around the world, including the UN and the Vatican.

CDPB would like to extend its thanks to the UME Oleander Initiative and its team for an excellent and impactful programme, underpinning the unique connection between Hiroshima has with Northern Ireland. We hope this trip is the first of many collaborative opportunities between CDPB and the UME Oleander Initiative.

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