tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31059258768553939532024-02-02T10:06:10.428-08:00Gonzaga in Derry 2014Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-57780908227893157092014-01-12T07:38:00.002-08:002014-01-12T09:43:39.176-08:00A Genuine Derryman<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kX2huNVFs3A/Ustw7gIPG7I/AAAAAAAAACQ/ypL0l-ZQ6Yc/s1600/Blogger+Profile+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kX2huNVFs3A/Ustw7gIPG7I/AAAAAAAAACQ/ypL0l-ZQ6Yc/s1600/Blogger+Profile+Pic.jpg" height="200" width="170" /></a>by <b>Stephen Miller</b><br />
<br />
As I walked through the dimly lit archway I could begin to vision lights and shadows creating a perfect blend of ambiance in the craft village. This vintage nook is home to quaint coffee houses, restaurants, and local boutiques creating a warm welcoming environment. The peace of the place is surreal. Superior to the mystical peace felt by the ambiance of the village is the palpable peace being negotiated by one man, a man who is courageously dedicated to maintaining the peace and beauty tasted in the atmosphere of Derry, and his team in one of the belonging offices.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9lZ2Sw56Ar4/UtK1OqDrPAI/AAAAAAAAAEM/tilARz_N3UU/s1600/IMG_0393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9lZ2Sw56Ar4/UtK1OqDrPAI/AAAAAAAAAEM/tilARz_N3UU/s1600/IMG_0393.jpg" height="200" width="145" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The CCI</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jim Roddy was born in Derry-Londonderry in 1960. Jim was no stranger to the conflicts in his formative childhood. His birth home was on Rossville Street in the Bogside, a street that would later be home to violent conflicts, including the tragically infamous Bloody Sunday. He was born into a generation that would soon be immersed in the “troubles.” Jim’s experience growing up in conflict birthed a deep-rooted indignation that lead to a firm belief in the violent struggle plaguing his home. At the age of 16 Jim made a decision that would change the course of his life, moving to England. This stint away from home, although it was for less than a year, changed Jim’s spotlight away from conflict and to life, family, and future.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-44MVG92Or40/UtKjmIU7grI/AAAAAAAAADo/ev4VzbbFjJs/s1600/IMG_0336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-44MVG92Or40/UtKjmIU7grI/AAAAAAAAADo/ev4VzbbFjJs/s1600/IMG_0336.JPG" height="218" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beauty of Derry the CCI works to maintain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Today, Jim Roddy functions as the chief executive of the City Centre Initiative. The organization is the primary management figure in bridging the public and private sectors toward maintaining the city’s culture and civility. Jim, in short, is a people person. Jim Roddy resides in many ways as a great orchestrator for the city of Derry, bringing diverse religious, festive, political, and community parties together to begin dialogues. Because of Jim’s approachability, genuine love of his city, and equal care for all he is known as being a-political. This recognition allows Roddy to be a safe person for all political parties to confide in, negotiate, and dialogue. Whether it is parade details, banner or flag discussions, policing services, or the other numerous city needs, Jim Roddy is pinnacle in the peace building process.<br />
<b><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></i></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;">"I've tried to put myself in another person's footsteps."</i></b></div>
<b><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></i></b>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8JW3dhxOmOs/UtKj8yhRw7I/AAAAAAAAADw/NjEvSHqGfK4/s1600/IMG_0387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8JW3dhxOmOs/UtKj8yhRw7I/AAAAAAAAADw/NjEvSHqGfK4/s1600/IMG_0387.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim Roddy and local police officers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jim Roddy is a notable advocate of quality policing, a controversial matter in Northern Ireland. During the troubles the police force, primarily driven by loyalist agenda, was brutal and malicious. The force tormented the local people of Derry building animosity in the tired, beaten community. Derry’s law enforcement has evolved, and continues to evolve from a police force toward a police service. “Policing should be something we all do,” claims Jim. The people of Derry should look out for themselves and others, and when necessary, local police may intervene as a service to the community. Jim works intimately with local law enforcement in many ways to better the public perception of the police service. A couple of ways in which this happens are by diversifying the police department and building police-community relations. I was amazed at the platform of courage in which Jim leads and negotiates for the betterment of Derry.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MtGGlL40DxY/UtK1KeQYVsI/AAAAAAAAAEE/tXEQWm19YZY/s1600/IMG_0382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MtGGlL40DxY/UtK1KeQYVsI/AAAAAAAAAEE/tXEQWm19YZY/s1600/IMG_0382.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">"If you want to build something that is long lasting, honesty has to come to the floor."</b></i></span></div>
<br />
<br />
Jim Roddy is honest, genuine, and inspirational. In my multiple interactions with Jim I have come to know him as a Derryman, an Irishman, a family man, and a friend.
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-86613635615865024032014-01-12T07:36:00.004-08:002014-01-12T09:51:34.375-08:00Revealing the Truth One Case at a Time<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPs7IN61txs-P2jYbfNqn57a2_UYhnC8k-EZJn5eUKnCwirNHsFjFXF60y-wobEixHUFUTazvEPJik8v_GfHob9QzSls9bZO7QgNzxSQ1V5VOmvePct7VcO4EuZ_u9gTIugcV7mL6evw/s1600/sophia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPs7IN61txs-P2jYbfNqn57a2_UYhnC8k-EZJn5eUKnCwirNHsFjFXF60y-wobEixHUFUTazvEPJik8v_GfHob9QzSls9bZO7QgNzxSQ1V5VOmvePct7VcO4EuZ_u9gTIugcV7mL6evw/s1600/sophia.jpg" height="181" width="200" /></a><br />
By <b>Sophia Iliakis Doherty</b><br />
At midday on January 11, 1974, the sound of a bomb blast echoed through the Derry winter sky. Not an uncommon occurrence during a highly turbulent time in the famous city’s history. As life momentarily paused, the citizens of Derry were left to wonder ‘who’ just lost a loved one. How many lives would be forever impacted by that familiar deadly sound that instantaneously halts hearts for only seconds?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDG2Z1r7s0JuHsNTBbBpDw4hxmrcKqLTwCcV7ktmVF8cRjihWhEzN81cz2LsOTNzQYOiFR_NhxNwtpS9D3L__ZbLlJ4Scxn9Ol2_1SV1wShvg1PDC5xqEzgsmVVIJmnFJg8_JAEEO2YA/s1600/photo+1+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDG2Z1r7s0JuHsNTBbBpDw4hxmrcKqLTwCcV7ktmVF8cRjihWhEzN81cz2LsOTNzQYOiFR_NhxNwtpS9D3L__ZbLlJ4Scxn9Ol2_1SV1wShvg1PDC5xqEzgsmVVIJmnFJg8_JAEEO2YA/s1600/photo+1+(1).JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>Yesterday, Saturday, January 11, 2014, the Derry Journal highlighted this story marking the 40-year anniversary of that fatal day. John Dunn, a 46-year-old husband and father of six and Cecilia Byrne, a 53-year-old wife and fellow worker at the British barracks at Ebrington became two of hundreds of innocent victims to lose their lives to lethal car bombs during The Troubles of Northern Ireland. The surviving family members, devastated by the immediate and untimely loss of their loved ones, are left to suffer for years without answers or resolution. Responsibility for this particular bomb, which was intended to be driven into the barracks and explode to kill large numbers of British soldiers, was not claimed until 1999 by the Official IRA.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoznaRhrmmYIj_UDrXKLcYRP2jqHh9u7Gw4Wbdpbtfx2lPOGmYlBdn7AARc-XKQP20Cmfx_Ooj1k5FthdTSHUhvRUAP9xWAGrncFHC0DX5qnO9oqSQDM41FNyueJqMUF8gUX4Rttk48qg/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoznaRhrmmYIj_UDrXKLcYRP2jqHh9u7Gw4Wbdpbtfx2lPOGmYlBdn7AARc-XKQP20Cmfx_Ooj1k5FthdTSHUhvRUAP9xWAGrncFHC0DX5qnO9oqSQDM41FNyueJqMUF8gUX4Rttk48qg/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
This tragic story exemplifies the type of cases brought through the doors of The Pat Finucane Centre (PFC), which works “Towards Human Rights and Truth Recovery”. PFC has offices in Derry, Armagh and Dublin and works with over 250 families who have lost loved ones during the conflict. While the larger goal of PFC is to influence the debate of coming to terms with the past, the day-to-day goals are married with the goals of the bereaved families PFC works with to bring truth through thorough investigations of cases regarding those who lost their lives during the conflict. Director of the Derry center, Paul O’Connor describes this goal as ‘gaining maximum possible access of information on behalf of bereaved families in the least traumatic of circumstances.”
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoy6EZJ5wyoNB2j07VHQYL9Dic0UFAVPWEFNJF1n7D2RKD5_v4cAyd01L7ttZsY0M9-1UJwewNJNX-OPU8h3sISowquqedYpgJlejCg0LQ6C8EGz57VqUh0j9SvoEVljHxxKTF03dt4Y/s1600/photo+2+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoy6EZJ5wyoNB2j07VHQYL9Dic0UFAVPWEFNJF1n7D2RKD5_v4cAyd01L7ttZsY0M9-1UJwewNJNX-OPU8h3sISowquqedYpgJlejCg0LQ6C8EGz57VqUh0j9SvoEVljHxxKTF03dt4Y/s1600/photo+2+copy.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>As Paul sits astutely in a chair across from me sipping a cup of coffee, his serious demeanor throws a dark shadow over our conversation, clearly depicting the gravity of their work. This was not the ‘tea and scones’, light-hearted conversation to which we’ve become accustomed. Paul and his team spend their time connecting dots.<br />
<br />
These dedicated workers answer hard phone calls from bereaved family members, establish hard facts from historical accounts told by people recalling activities and events often decades old, shuffle through mountains of paperwork, filter facts from fiction by comparing events to reports in local newspapers, national archives, and police reports, negotiate with solicitors and government workers on behalf of family members and work to facilitate dialogue between the two divided communities of the North. They also organize and facilitate workshops, outreach events, and public meetings on potential truth processes.<br />
<br />
On an individual basis, Paul explains the goal of each investigation is to come to as honest and thorough an explanation of the loss as possible; detailing what actually happened based on official documentation, statements and any other information that can prove helpful. Details that come out of these investigations can then be used in civil cases by family members with the understanding that some cases may never be prosecuted. According to Paul, many families are very happy simply to have the facts of what actually happened to their loved one.<br />
<br />
PFC is a ‘non-party political, anti-sectarian, human rights group advocating a non-violent resolution of the conflict on the island of Ireland’. Paul adds that all parties to the conflict have violated human rights, and that state entities are required by law to uphold a citizen’s right to life under Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights. Under this article and Article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states “all are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law”. Paul and his team work diligently to maintain this right of citizens by revealing facts, particularly regarding collusion by state governing bodies with paramilitary units which breach and have been found to violate the rights of citizens.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegod9bAyb1sl1nh4iWjA_35yJdJo9XTA_QzgH9tby2jURkjqeqpnvoFSP070pa7svUmYDkElBHnK_3J0k_YhpdSIlKG_NipWePWtDxMCgZ144S4l9-ElEA6aKE1XlNnEOFNMcPg_5GdY/s1600/photo+2+copy+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegod9bAyb1sl1nh4iWjA_35yJdJo9XTA_QzgH9tby2jURkjqeqpnvoFSP070pa7svUmYDkElBHnK_3J0k_YhpdSIlKG_NipWePWtDxMCgZ144S4l9-ElEA6aKE1XlNnEOFNMcPg_5GdY/s1600/photo+2+copy+10.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
The center was established 20 years ago and named in honor of Pat Finucane, who was a human rights solicitor from a Catholic Republican family. Pat was gunned down, allegedly to silence him. Martin Finucane, Pat’s brother, worked alongside Paul to establish the center, ‘There’s no better way to combat that (silencing someone) then to name a center after them.’<br />
<br />
For John Dunn’s family, clarity and coming to terms with his death came 25 years after his murder. His surviving family feel a sense of closure after this 40 year memorial this weekend. The Pat Finucane Center works to provide answers for bereaved families much sooner with the hope of bringing relief and some closure to suffering and coming to terms with Ireland’s painful past.
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-63voPyi6P5I%2FUtK03FHaBpI%2FAAAAAAAAD90%2F5qdVaiz_6fo%2Fs1600%2Fphoto%2B2%2Bcopy.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoy6EZJ5wyoNB2j07VHQYL9Dic0UFAVPWEFNJF1n7D2RKD5_v4cAyd01L7ttZsY0M9-1UJwewNJNX-OPU8h3sISowquqedYpgJlejCg0LQ6C8EGz57VqUh0j9SvoEVljHxxKTF03dt4Y/s1600/photo+2+copy.JPG" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02651969412706634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-1070678564906006872014-01-12T05:46:00.001-08:002014-01-12T09:43:39.170-08:00Nigel GardinerBy <b>Delaney Adams</b><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--0HK_pH6a5U/UtJYHr2VqOI/AAAAAAAAABk/U-n-TC_vzeE/s1600/ebrington.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--0HK_pH6a5U/UtJYHr2VqOI/AAAAAAAAABk/U-n-TC_vzeE/s1600/ebrington.jpg" height="111" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lxOCGQW1h2Q/UtJY7wos0kI/AAAAAAAAACA/ymTtUK8oeho/s1600/red+white+blue+curb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lxOCGQW1h2Q/UtJY7wos0kI/AAAAAAAAACA/ymTtUK8oeho/s1600/red+white+blue+curb.jpg" height="26" width="200" /></a>On the banks of the River Foyle sits the Erbington Barracks, built in the early 1840’s. A former British Army base with a long history linked to the troubles. A few steps away spans the symbolic and functional peace bridge, joining a town once divided by the River, divided by politics and religion. Just behind the barracks, up a narrow flight of stairs, Nigel Gardiner spends his days with people who twenty years earlier wouldn’t dare come to the Waterside, people who wanted to see Nigel dead. Now, these past enemies have become friends. Peace and reconciliation energies have replaced his duties of control and security. Just as he once embraced his security duty responsibilities, so too is his passion and fervor evidenced in his current mission.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gVWIyRIy8yQ/UtJYp9dNBgI/AAAAAAAAABw/FvDJln8iGHg/s1600/nigel+bridge+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gVWIyRIy8yQ/UtJYp9dNBgI/AAAAAAAAABw/FvDJln8iGHg/s1600/nigel+bridge+2.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>In 1968, at the young age of 16, Nigel saw his country being torn apart in civil strife. A struggle, centuries in the making, was building and threatening to destroy his country. Many young men chose to go the route of the paramilitary – to fight to protect that which they believed in and loved. Having been raised by a single mother who taught him the importance of family, of community, of strength and honor, Nigel instead chose the legal path of duty joining the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) at 18. The UDR was set up to replace the Ulster Special Constabulary (B specials) and tasked with the duty to support the British Army and the Royal Ulster Constable (RUC) in keeping civil rest, to thwart the violence of the terrorist, and to maintain order. Nigel spent the next 22 years in this role.<br />
<br />
Each morning Nigel would leave his home to drive to his day job as a shirt cutter at the Hogg and Mitchell Shirt Factory. Before getting in his car, he first had to bend down and check for bombs, something that he finds himself still doing today. Instead of driving directly to his work, he would drive different routes each day, often going 7-10 miles out of the way to not be caught in a routine that could potentially make him a victim. He and his family lived in constant fear.<br />
<br />
A “normal life” was not available to Nigel and he regrets that, people should not have to live in constant fear. After the Good Friday Agreement, he began working with the Irish Street Community Association. “I tried to build bridges between various groups in the Waterside and extend those across the city – working with every group within the city regardless of class, creed or culture,” working to build a cross cultural, inclusive community. During the conflict, Nigel lost 34 colleagues in the violence. He can tell you how each one died and the awful atrocities that he witnessed. He works to “move the peace process forward” and “create a future for our children.” In his words, "We want to engage with people who have emerged from conflict. We need to learn from the past, not repeat it."
<br />
<br />
The organization Nigel has now dedicated his energy to is the Ex-Prisoners Interpretative Center (EPIC). Their mission is to further the peace process, to help political prisoners re-enter society. EPIC works to create a bridge from prison to peace; working for peace and reconciliation, citizenship (telling their stories in schools to encourage kids away from the violence) and social economy and sustainability. Additionally they offer welfare rights consultations to the entire community.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nCGp1hdBCqs/UtJY2JRxkUI/AAAAAAAAAB4/xjRMbxbfTsk/s1600/nigel+desk2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nCGp1hdBCqs/UtJY2JRxkUI/AAAAAAAAAB4/xjRMbxbfTsk/s1600/nigel+desk2.jpg" height="170" width="200" /></a></div>
Leaving a legacy for his community, to give people a quality of life that was denied to them because of the conflict keeps him moving forward. He sees respect and understanding between the two groups beginning but there is not the trust yet needed to complete the peace process. This will be achieved by cross community action, by people engaging with one another, by continued meeting and dialogue. The key is to create relationships that facilitate trust, thus leading to his vision of an inclusive society.<br />
<br />
What was achieved in the 38 years of violence and struggle and the 3700+ victims who lost their lives? Not very much, in Nigel’s eyes. There are no winners, everyone in the struggle suffered, everyone was a victim, and everyone was touched by the violence. Nigel believes in the peace process. He believes in the necessity of dialogue and of finding that place where both sides of the conflict can live side by side in an inclusive community; where one’s religion does not define neither the in nor the out group. Working with this group, Nigel shared that through the work he has been doing he has learned the true meaning of respect and to not judge others as he did in the past.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xXEJVzdrDek/UtJaNK4G72I/AAAAAAAAACQ/_LKbVD2f53A/s1600/derry+clock+tower+only.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xXEJVzdrDek/UtJaNK4G72I/AAAAAAAAACQ/_LKbVD2f53A/s1600/derry+clock+tower+only.jpg" height="200" width="108" /></a>Although Nigel believes politicians are not the ones to solve the peace troubles; he is running for election in May as a member of the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP). Through this work he feels he will be better able to facilitate the communication that will move the peace process forward more quickly and inclusively – by the citizens of the community. By people who are committed to overcoming differences, finding a common ground from which to work and fixing things to provide adequate services and quality of life for all people. It's time to find peace in Londonderry / Derry.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lxOCGQW1h2Q/UtJY7wos0kI/AAAAAAAAACE/4_ZXWAeONp4/s1600/red+white+blue+curb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lxOCGQW1h2Q/UtJY7wos0kI/AAAAAAAAACE/4_ZXWAeONp4/s1600/red+white+blue+curb.jpg" height="26" width="200" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-67051691059478183262014-01-12T04:31:00.000-08:002014-01-12T04:55:39.228-08:00From Darkness Into Light<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cI07fR0Rqyg/UshNuWGGTQI/AAAAAAAAAAU/hHTrhyT5Ffc/s1600/Becker+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cI07fR0Rqyg/UshNuWGGTQI/AAAAAAAAAAU/hHTrhyT5Ffc/s1600/Becker+2013.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
by<b> Lisa Becker</b><br />
<br />
“I stand before you a grandfather and a father. I stand before you a convicted terrorist.” James Greer bared his soul to his people, his friends, and his former enemies in 2011 as he spoke these poignant words during the dedication of the Peace Bridge to the people of Derry. How he came to make this confession is quite a story.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_JPK6GJIw5o/UtJy3HlNVFI/AAAAAAAAADk/2Cy8isC7Ric/s1600/IMG_3615r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_JPK6GJIw5o/UtJy3HlNVFI/AAAAAAAAADk/2Cy8isC7Ric/s1600/IMG_3615r.jpg" height="320" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James Greer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As a young boy growing up in Derry James was surrounded by utter disregard for human life. In 1966, when James was only 11-years-old, he and some friends were playing on a wooden plank by the River Foyle. As they were returning to the bank, the plank toppled and 7-year-old Thomas plummeted into the rushing river. James raced for help, but the old man he stopped simply drove away not wanting to get involved. James ran back down to the bank searching desperately for some sign of his friend, finally spotting Thomas a short way down the bank, his mop of red hair bobbing up and down in the rushing water. James tried with all his might to save him, but just grazed his hand before the tide swept Thomas away for good. Upon his return home that evening his mother simply said, “Get out of those wet clothes.” They found Thomas drowned three days later, the same red hair floating in the water, like seaweed lingering on the surface of the ocean. James could not help but be impacted with the realization that his was the last face Thomas saw before he died; James the last person he had touched. At the tender age of 11, James had a burden that was his alone to bear. A burden he would carry forever.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tj6aI-ZR5eo/UtJy4HSADOI/AAAAAAAAADw/RFlM2VSbdSI/s1600/IMG_3622r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tj6aI-ZR5eo/UtJy4HSADOI/AAAAAAAAADw/RFlM2VSbdSI/s1600/IMG_3622r.jpg" height="169" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James reminiscing in the green room. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There would be more darkness to follow. James spent a single year in the Army in 1971, before choosing to return home instead of taking a post in Cypress, a decision which haunts him to this day. He paused in his story telling and, gazing thoughtfully out the window, whispered, “How different could things have been?” His return from service plunged him in the chaos that had become Derry. The devastation and trouble in the Bogside- the bombings, the tear gas, the killing each day- meant James was still at war. He could not escape the struggle and ultimately joined the UDA, the Ulster Defense Association. He was arrested in 1974, tried, convicted, and sentenced to 15 years in prison on bomb charges. Sitting in his cold, dark prison cell one day, a fellow inmate lamented his great disappointment at being unable to kill an 8-year old girl he had fired at in a shop. His only concern was that he had failed at taking her life. In that moment James realized the horror of what the Troubles had done to him and his people; he began to see the light that had evaded his life for so long. Upon his release in 1979, James was a changed man. He spent the next years avoiding the violence surrounding him, eventually moving on in his career and with his life.
Yet who James is today, is not defined by the dark events of his past.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7VKonH9WgOo/UtJy1gi72wI/AAAAAAAAADU/XPbCeeNqHrE/s1600/IMG_3603r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7VKonH9WgOo/UtJy1gi72wI/AAAAAAAAADU/XPbCeeNqHrE/s1600/IMG_3603r.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theatre of Witness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unbeknownst to him at the time, a call he received in 2009 would be the light he did not know he was searching for. He was contacted to take part in a new program at the Playhouse called “Theatre of Witness” where combatants and victims, officers and family members, and all those wounded by the Troubles could come together in a public forum to tell their stories and promote understanding and healing. The program is designed to help people bear witness and put a face and a heart to the painful, true stories.<br />
<br />
When James was first invited to the Playhouse situated just inside the city walls, he chose to park just outside the walls in the Fountain area. He walked in through the gate focused on his mission, but as he started down the street his steps began to slow as he filled with uneasiness. He turned around, thinking he could not and should not do this. He quickly paced back to his vehicle in the Fountain, where he had come from, where he was safe, where he felt he should be. When he reached his vehicle James was overwhelmed by the shame of what he had done yet completely afraid of what he was about to do. He wanted desperately to tell his story, to move on, and it was from that desperation that he found the strength to walk back to the Playhouse and begin his new journey.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u2E8Ff3R1gg/UtJy3fzuQ2I/AAAAAAAAADs/7b9oegMhIac/s1600/IMG_3612r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u2E8Ff3R1gg/UtJy3fzuQ2I/AAAAAAAAADs/7b9oegMhIac/s1600/IMG_3612r.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James found his light on stage. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For James, the story telling was therapeutic. He performed 14 times in that first year. 14 times he sat on stage and told his story inches away from an enthralled audience. 14 times the audience lived his deep emotional trauma, their empathy forever joining them in that moment. 14 times he shared space and time with five other narrators, all of whom were former enemies, and had now become not only friends but family.
As we sat talking in the green room at the Playhouse, James conjured up the image from Gulliver’s Travels. He felt as Gulliver dragging the ships, carrying the burden on the human soul, carrying the weight of his secrets. The more James told his story, the more weight he was able to release. As the burden started falling off, the ships would sink behind him one by one. James said it best when he stated, “The medicine is in the story.” What they did was not worth the life of one person, let alone the thousands who lost their lives during the Troubles.<br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"> “As much as you would like to change the past you can’t but you can live with it and change the future.”</span></b></i><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlKHlgSXQWg/UtJzQjT1GgI/AAAAAAAAAEI/iQhgGbCmi9k/s1600/IMG_3637r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlKHlgSXQWg/UtJzQjT1GgI/AAAAAAAAAEI/iQhgGbCmi9k/s1600/IMG_3637r.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Playhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Today James is thankful for what he has done, yet he realizes what it has cost him. “My people would believe I had turned my back on them as a traitor. They would see it as the ultimate betrayal of my people and my beliefs. But I know that what I am doing now is better than killing people. Of course it is.”
The light and peace that now emanates from James does not go unnoticed. He realizes the peace journey is a work in progress, one that will never truly be complete, but it he can now carry his wounds with more ease and help others who are suffering. Not only has James brought peace to himself, he is hoping to reach outside of the historical conflict between Catholic and Protestant, Nationalists and Unionists, to include the local ethnic minorities, who are severely marginalized in Derry today. He would like to someday create a hub, a common ground, where those minorities would be welcome. His plan for a peaceful gathering place in Derry would include the peripheral ring of society as well as all those who have been involved with the struggle for so long. After many years of turmoil James realizes that peace building must be for all.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--g0BJSY9THY/UtJy5K9lSoI/AAAAAAAAAD4/pVEQ1-_0bqk/s1600/IMG_3623r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--g0BJSY9THY/UtJy5K9lSoI/AAAAAAAAAD4/pVEQ1-_0bqk/s1600/IMG_3623r.jpg" height="148" width="320" /></a></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-27438484961471645462014-01-12T03:42:00.001-08:002014-01-12T09:32:50.426-08:00Understanding new beginnings<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EuboRR7YNdM/UtJ9LaYhQyI/AAAAAAAAAE8/IbHTXaYaqWY/s1600/20140109_204212_edited_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EuboRR7YNdM/UtJ9LaYhQyI/AAAAAAAAAE8/IbHTXaYaqWY/s1600/20140109_204212_edited_edited.jpg" height="200" width="186" /></a>by <b>Armando "AJ" Davila</b><br />
<br />
Taken from his home in a raid by RUC (Royal Ulster Constabulary) police and British Army on Easter Sunday in 1978, Charlie McMenamin at the age of 16 was tortured so severely, physically and psychologically, that after the first few hours, he attempted to take his own life with a little metal screw he pulled from a radiator in his cell. Charlie was an average kid from the Bog Side who had little education, but was never a criminal. His exposure to the Troubles that overwhelmed the communities of Derry were almost surreal and were imprinted into his memory for the rest of his life. How does one take all the bad experiences and hatred built up from those experiences and make a better life for himself and others based on forgiveness and wanting change? Charlie McMenamin is a man of vision and ambition to make a difference for his people and his country.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jM44de3J3ZI/UtJ7pwKinOI/AAAAAAAAAEo/d40a1qZBVX0/s1600/charlie+06+3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jM44de3J3ZI/UtJ7pwKinOI/AAAAAAAAAEo/d40a1qZBVX0/s1600/charlie+06+3.bmp" height="320" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlie McMeniman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>“For 3 days I was badly beaten. I had all my hair pulled all out. I had my ears slapped. I was made to stand a lot. Shouted at. Psychologically tortured. And on the first day, after about 8 hours of torturing and interrogation - being told that I was accused of things I never did. I was taken to my cell for a break, which was the first break I had taken. I grabbed a screw from a radiator and tried to cut my wrist.”</i><br />
<br />
At the age of 16, Charlie McMenamin was imprisoned and held without trial before being taken to a judge to face accusations that he later in life proved were not true. He was accused of serious offenses like attempted murder, possession of guns, and multiple other charges. Charlie pleaded his case and defense to his attorney, who in no way helped him convey his innocence to the court. Charlie says "The System", as he called the judicial set-up at the time, was allegedly corrupt and he was forced to plead guilty to offences by his attorney's incompetence in seeking the overturn of the case. It was a choice of either pleading not guilty and receiving 30 years imprisonment, or guilty and only one year in prison. During his three long and agonizing years behind prison walls, Charlie developed a hatred for anyone wearing a uniform or that stood for the so-called judicial system in Northern Ireland.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XIg6qUaR9w4/UtJ99IuuhjI/AAAAAAAAAFE/HAXe1wSeWqs/s1600/charlie+mc+menamin+february+1978+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XIg6qUaR9w4/UtJ99IuuhjI/AAAAAAAAAFE/HAXe1wSeWqs/s1600/charlie+mc+menamin+february+1978+2.JPG" height="181" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DRAC from 1978</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While in prison awaiting trial, Charlie was exposed to other pressures. The first two years of his sentence were spent in the Crumlin Road Jail in the H-blocks. The last year was served in a junior prison of Millisle, 100 miles away from his family. During his time in captivity, he was encouraged to join “the fight” against wrongful imprisonment and a corrupt government system which tailed into the the main agenda set forth by the strong Ireland resistance – wanting the British to leave and have no rule over Northern Ireland. Even though Charlie was against the government system, he was not considered part of "the Struggle."<br />
<br />
At one point, Charlie decided to stop his prison protests against the government system, because his family was not getting the financial support that the other families of political prisoners were getting from support organizations. His decision to stop protesting was in support of his mother who had just lost her son to a corrupt system and the financial hardships that were beginning to stack up. This created a lot of tension with his fellow inmates that were very proactive in "The Struggle" as political prisoners. Charlie was ostracized by his fellow inmates, which added more pressure to a young man already fighting "The System." He eventually rejoined the prison protest to help claim the right as an innocent man wrongfully accused.<br />
<br />
After prison, due to his high resentment of the Northern Irish systems and hatred for the RUC and British Army rule, Charlie supported the use of violence by those opposing British rule in Irish affairs. Throughout the 1980's, Charlie was in and out of prison. He finally found himself moving to Paris, France, in 1988, where he lived for two years. “It was the first normal period I had had in my life. Normality was not something I was used to. It was so nice to be around really good human beings. Even the British people there were nice.” This experience of humanization was a revelation to Charlie. He knew that at this point, there were good people in the world and that the people of Ireland needed to look for a peaceful solution. During the 1990’s, Charlie attempted to start his new beginning by looking for better ways to combat the Troubles, mainly through peace and dialogue.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3a46kSR05VY/UtJ-ggia57I/AAAAAAAAAFM/xFjmhRQ9O0s/s1600/P5040028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3a46kSR05VY/UtJ-ggia57I/AAAAAAAAAFM/xFjmhRQ9O0s/s1600/P5040028.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local youth group Charlie <br />
helped facilitate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Given that the 1990’s were still very chaotic in Northern Ireland, Charlie started his foundation trying to improve the life of those in his community. It was a slow start for Charlie, as he was trying to find ways to promote the thought of unity and peace. It wasn't until the mid-2000 that Charlie began to rise in his community as a leader and mentor. Organizations like Triax, which oversaw smaller groups and helped facilitate anti-sectarian and anti-community work, and Drink Think, whose aim is to encourage the local population and beyond to adapt a responsible and sensible approach to alcohol, were stable organizations that Charlie helped facilitate. These organizations have proven to be very effective in the recent years, which in turn has made Charlie a prominent citizen of his community and a leader that poses better solutions towards reaching peace.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KALjj-pnQYE/UtJ-3LokTEI/AAAAAAAAAFY/QTbW4xSG_3k/s1600/bobby+sands+mural+august+09+cmcm+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KALjj-pnQYE/UtJ-3LokTEI/AAAAAAAAAFY/QTbW4xSG_3k/s1600/bobby+sands+mural+august+09+cmcm+%25286%2529.JPG" height="320" width="219" /></a></div>
In 2003, due to the changes in the new judicial system of Northern Ireland, Charlie was able to take his convictions back to court and eventually have them overturned and declared a "miscarriage of justice." Charlie finally had a sense of closure for the hatred that had built up in his body and mind for all of those years.<br />
<br />
<i>“Being in the heart of any community is the only place you can be at times of war, troubles or strife. When you understand it from within, you can be an encourager and enabler of change; empowering those around you to make informed choices about their lives and showing leadership to those who may have become disillusioned or misguided in the process.”</i><br />
<br />
Charlie emphasizes a popular quote stated by Albert Einstein,
“Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.”
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-69093446086022350162014-01-12T03:19:00.000-08:002014-01-12T04:55:39.235-08:00What is Your Peace Process?<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q750IQKK69w/UtAZ4HaCZKI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/vuL2sxdMQbg/s1600/julie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q750IQKK69w/UtAZ4HaCZKI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/vuL2sxdMQbg/s1600/julie.JPG" height="200" width="137" /></a>By:<b> Julie Mills</b><br />
For Richard Moore his peace process was forgiveness. Richard believes first and foremost forgiveness was the best gift he could give himself. Richard also believes forgiveness doesn’t change the past, but it does change the future.<br />
<br />
Richard Moore is a 52 year old man that was born and raised in Derry, Northern Ireland. On May 4, 1972, several months after Bloody Sunday, while walking home from school, Richard was struck by a rubber bullet hitting him on the bridge of his nose and leaving him blind for the rest of his life.<br />
<br />
On that day just as any other day, at about 20 passed 3 in the afternoon, Richard was running home from school with several other boys that attended St. Eugene’s Primary school. As the boys ran through the soccer pitch of St. Joseph’s School on their way home to Creggan Estate, close by was the British Army installation, a British soldier fired the rubber bullet which changed his life forever.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NxpeOWlPnKE/UtJ3eaCAt2I/AAAAAAAAAFg/cGy9TO4k9GQ/s1600/IMG_1887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NxpeOWlPnKE/UtJ3eaCAt2I/AAAAAAAAAFg/cGy9TO4k9GQ/s1600/IMG_1887.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard Moore</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Richard remembers his brother being very angry and wanted retaliation upon the soldier who fired the rubber bullet. Richard’s parents were very devout Catholics. They went to mass every day. Neither one of them wanted revenge or wanted harm placed upon the soldier. Richard’s mother told his brother, “If you want to help Richard, you help him, but you cannot help him by hurting somebody else.”<br />
<br />
Four months before Richard’s accident, his uncle Gerry McKinney was shot and killed during Bloody Sunday. Richard’s mom’s brother was killed by a soldier and now her 10 year old son was injured for life. His parents were traumatized, brokenhearted and deeply hurt, but his parents were never angry. His parents promoted forgiveness. That is where Richard got his ability to forgive.<br />
<br />
As the years passed, Richard began his Peace Process. Richard says forgiveness is the greatest gift of all. Even though Richard was blinded as a child, he always felt like he had a good life and never felt like he was in any way losing out. While working as a businessman in the City of Derry, Richard used to work with development workers who came from overseas, and Richard became enthralled about what was happening overseas. Richard then felt pulled towards Africa and wanted to help those children in need. Richard realized there were children in other parts of the world that may have their eyesight, but didn’t have what he had; they didn’t have the opportunities that he had. He then became interested in the children in the world who lived in poverty. To Richard poverty is an issue of justice. He wanted to be a voice for children who couldn’t be a voice for themselves.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dA4Ro42v4tU/UtJ4RQEXM-I/AAAAAAAAAFs/5bj7ZBlQS5U/s1600/childcrossfire+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dA4Ro42v4tU/UtJ4RQEXM-I/AAAAAAAAAFs/5bj7ZBlQS5U/s1600/childcrossfire+logo.jpg" height="92" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In 1996, Richard started the non-profit organization Children in Crossfire. Children in Crossfire is a poverty relief organization put in place to help children under the age of 8 years old who live in Tanzania, Ethiopia and The Gambia. Children in Crossfire’s main area of focus is primary education, preschool education, nutrition, and early detection of disabilities. Children in Crossfire works with local organizations in those areas to help empower the people. They believe in giving the people the power of decision and to take control of their own lives. The people of these areas need to become sustainable and allow people to make decisions.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4P7KWBZK5ps/UtJ4RcVYdVI/AAAAAAAAAF8/8M-oj5uFwic/s1600/Charity.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4P7KWBZK5ps/UtJ4RcVYdVI/AAAAAAAAAF8/8M-oj5uFwic/s1600/Charity.JPG" height="116" width="200" /></a>Children in Crossfire raises money through a variety of events such as holding charity event dinners, raising money through zip lining events over the River Foyle, run an Advent campaign during the Christmas holiday in Ireland, and also raise money from the general public by placing collection cans in supermarkets and other stores.<br />
<br />
Richard believes his organization cannot cure poverty. They are a small organization. They aren’t capable of curing poverty, but they can impact positively in the communities where they operate. One example where this has happened in Tanzania is at a children’s cancer project. Children were being treated in a rat infested shed. There was very little medical equipment. Only 12% of the children were surviving. Today through funding that has been received, there is now a hospital facility that has proper medicine for the children, and there is a school attached for the children who are well enough to attend. There is also a hostile for their parents to stay and an area that allows the parents to produce products such as beaded necklaces to sell to help make money for them. The success rate of survival is now up to 60%.
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kMfNYbsau44/UtJ4SdmT50I/AAAAAAAAAGE/yEV3WEu8DB0/s1600/crossfirepic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kMfNYbsau44/UtJ4SdmT50I/AAAAAAAAAGE/yEV3WEu8DB0/s1600/crossfirepic.JPG" height="200" width="141" /></a></div>
<br />
Children in Crossfire is also helping parents get educated about malnutrition. They are helping the parents grow vegetables while educating parents how to recognize the signs of malnutrition. In Ethiopia 150 health workers are now going into the villages and teaching parents how to prepare food for a balanced diet. In two years Children in Crossfire has reached their three year goal of reducing malnutrition by 30%.<br />
<br />
When I asked Richard the reason for choosing this organization he told me that he realized there were much worse things than blindness. And he realized he may have had his difficulties, but he could overcome those. It was possible for him to live a normal, active life as a blind person. If someone like him can come through given what he went through, he believes anybody, given the right opportunity and given the right choices and level of support, is capable of not only surviving but of contributing in a positive way to their own life and the lives of their family and community. And these children in Africa if given the right opportunity, they will contribute in a positive way to their environment. The motto of Children in Crossfire is giving children the chance to choose, and every child deserves the right to be able to say I want to be, I want to do.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZGbW9G3Kfs/UtJ4RFPPr4I/AAAAAAAAAF0/CfJE_seHzoA/s1600/childrenincrossfire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZGbW9G3Kfs/UtJ4RFPPr4I/AAAAAAAAAF0/CfJE_seHzoA/s1600/childrenincrossfire.jpg" /></a>As Richard Moore chose his Peace Process to help these children through his charitable organization, he encourages every individual to enter their own mind and ask the question what is my peace process. We can all make a difference by spreading peace worldwide.<br />
<br />
Donations may be given at www.childrenincrossfire.org
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-75865999705058627482014-01-12T03:16:00.000-08:002014-01-12T03:16:09.814-08:00Integrating through Education by <b>Dawne Davis</b><br />
Upon entering the campus office one is quick to observe piles of papers and texts resting where they were placed, perhaps not in the same spot as the day or so before. Natural light from the window supports the overhead florescent lighting and gives the large office more than ample illumination. The neutral brick painted walls appear somewhat stark, except for two quotes posted which are highly revered by the occupant.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JGOS59nLQNo/UtHn1oEzisI/AAAAAAAAAEo/DX8rEK5hxmA/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JGOS59nLQNo/UtHn1oEzisI/AAAAAAAAAEo/DX8rEK5hxmA/s1600/image.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bgtFSRYy8tY/UtHn56Qg03I/AAAAAAAAAEw/QF_8t-CzCL4/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bgtFSRYy8tY/UtHn56Qg03I/AAAAAAAAAEw/QF_8t-CzCL4/s1600/image.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PqpkDZDiezU/UtHnSSdq0EI/AAAAAAAAAEE/iV2YyP8r-qM/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PqpkDZDiezU/UtHnSSdq0EI/AAAAAAAAAEE/iV2YyP8r-qM/s1600/image.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
The office belongs to Colm Cavanagh, who works in education administration as the Managing Director for North West Regional College (NWRC). The role provides him the opportunity to influence job development in Northern Ireland through vocational skills training for young people.<br />
<br />
However, Cavanagh's passion is the establishment of integrated education in divided cities, like Derry/Londonderry. Through stories Cavanagh's enthusiasm for education and dedication to Northern Ireland's future seems boundless. Cavanagh is a storyteller. His stories exhibit the challenges, successes, human factors and learnings experienced by himself and others who share his calling. Most notably, his stories educate the listener. Those willing to listen to his words will be engaged in his presence and will walk away informed, enlightened and motivated.<br />
<br />
Since completing his law degree, around the start of the Troubles, Cavanagh has held many voluntary and professional roles. His personal interest in divided people and/or cultures took him to African countries, such as Tanzania and South Africa, to see first-hand the challenges encountered and how they were or were not being addressed and or managed. In Derry/Londonderry, Cavanagh has worked to foster community and economic development, using his own personal learnings from Africa to help develop a vision for Northern Ireland.<br />
<br />
In 1989, the Department of Education was legally bound by a statutory obligation to encourage and facilitate integrated schools in Northern Ireland. Soon after the mandate, Cavanagh and his wife Anne were among a group of parents determined to create an Integrated Primary school. The parents were faced with the daunting tasks of finding and bringing together interested parents from both Protestant and Catholic faiths. They needed to locate neutral venues to hold difficult discussions, in addition to finding staff, students, a building and securing funding so the educational landscape of Northern Ireland could be changed. Cavanagh was elected co-chair of the parent committee, sharing the position with a Protestant representative. With the assistance from the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) their efforts were rewarded. In 1991 the Oakgrove Integrated Primary school was opened as the 14th integrated school in Northern Ireland and Cavanagh's first.<br />
<br />
NICIE has benefited from Cavanagh's contributions for more than twenty years. In his current role as NICIE President, Cavanagh can report that there are sixty-two integrated schools with over twenty-one thousand students in the Derry/Londonderry area. While these statistics only represent 7% of the current Derry/Londonderry school system, there is reason to be proud. Cavanagh continues to network and share NICIE's learnings with countries across the world who are experiencing the issues and challenges associated with school segregation. He has published articles and book chapters on the topic of integration/desegregation, as well as the successes of NICIE.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MXOmIFr-pA0/UtHnRc9EezI/AAAAAAAAAD0/mgk32IcPYvw/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MXOmIFr-pA0/UtHnRc9EezI/AAAAAAAAAD0/mgk32IcPYvw/s1600/image.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Cavanagh not only shares his stories, but takes inspiration from movies and books, quoting from the book <b>Cry The Beloved Countr</b>y which takes place in South Africa during Apartheid and <b>To Kill a Mockingbird</b> depicting racially tense inequality in the 1930s US south. Cavanagh is encouraged by the success of the student achievements and knows that the model is working well. He believes that the landscape has changed significantly and the threat previously perceived as a result of school integration is minimizing. While there are still hurdles, Cavanagh will continue to work towards his goal of "having an integrated school placed in an area for every child wants it in Northern Ireland."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-osDtfCnoiQY/UtHorzV2D0I/AAAAAAAAAFI/YFgcrfouPf0/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-osDtfCnoiQY/UtHorzV2D0I/AAAAAAAAAFI/YFgcrfouPf0/s1600/image.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The conversation with Cavanagh ended, quite appropriately, with him sharing a story that he believes, "is the best description of integrated eduction that he has heard." One of the parents of a mixed marriage (one Protestant and one Catholic) told the story of a conversation with their eight year old daughter a few days after she starting attending an integrated school for the first time. As the daughter was putting away her school bag and coat, the mother asked how her day had gone. The response was, "fine." The mother then asked how the girl liked her new school. A very similar response was given,"it's fine." The mother continued with one final question asking the daughter what the differences were between her new school and old school. The response was truly unexpected. The daughter responded "mommy, I never told you this before, but at my old school I never talked about you. I talked about daddy; but I never talked about you. At Oakgrove, I can be proud of both of you."<br />
<br />
Through the efforts of the NICIE, spearheaded by Cavanagh and its members, there is greater potential for Northern Ireland to evolve into a united identity that is neither seen as Protestant nor Catholic, but one that is grown through unification.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-69604786294379674652014-01-12T03:03:00.003-08:002014-01-12T03:15:11.070-08:00An Unexpected Journey<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K4no81LPA9w/UtFa1yMGyaI/AAAAAAAAAEE/pJyqJI4qTfg/s1600/IMG_0974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K4no81LPA9w/UtFa1yMGyaI/AAAAAAAAAEE/pJyqJI4qTfg/s1600/IMG_0974.JPG" height="237" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Michael Doherty, Peace and Reconciliation Group</b></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>By Steve Poole</b><br />
<br />
At the age of 13, Michael Doherty left school and joined the family business in one of the world"s oldest professions. Michael became a barber. He learned his trade along side of his father and carried on the family tradition. The family barbershop was a place where everyone was welcome and it is was an important part of the community. This was especially true on October 5th, 1968. This was the day of the Civil Rights Riot which traveled right past the front door of his family's shop The injured sought and found a place of refuge where they could have their wounds tended and find safety if only for a few moments. Ironically the barbers of ancient Greece and Rome were also looked to as surgeons and healers. It was in this moment that Michael too began his journey towards becoming a healer. Not just the healing of wounds of the flesh, but the healing of hearts and souls and the healing of a community and a nation.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f7sBbcpR30s/UtFcR-P5HEI/AAAAAAAAAEk/rEXHcjWlLys/s1600/516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f7sBbcpR30s/UtFcR-P5HEI/AAAAAAAAAEk/rEXHcjWlLys/s1600/516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f7sBbcpR30s/UtFcR-P5HEI/AAAAAAAAAEk/rEXHcjWlLys/s1600/516.JPG" height="320" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Peace and Reconciliation Group, founded in 1990 </b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The journey would not be without struggle and loss. In 1972 he was present when one of his best friends was killed in the Bloody Sunday riot. In 1974 the family barbershop was blown up by the IRA because they opened their shop to all customers, including the British Army and the police. Michael credits these three events with being the catalyst that moved him to do something to make a difference and to become a peace builder. The path included a return to the classroom in 1979 where he earned a Bachelors in Social Administration and a Master's degree in Public Administration at Magee University.<br />
<br />
After graduation, he found himself back among the people, working as the very first Community Relations Officer. Doherty recalls, "no one had a clue what I was supposed to be doing". Michael persevered and began to work with people in the community to develop opportunities and resources to begin conversations and teach communication skills.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JNWXxAFBtUI/UtGAlPG2xYI/AAAAAAAAAE8/N74EfFtVye0/s1600/IMG_0978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JNWXxAFBtUI/UtGAlPG2xYI/AAAAAAAAAE8/N74EfFtVye0/s1600/IMG_0978.JPG" height="320" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Another Lifeline, By Michael Doherty</b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In 1990 the Peace and Reconciliation Group was founded. Doherty recalls that the original purpose was to offer events and opportunities for youth from different parts of the community and different alliances to meet and get to know each other. A few years later, Michael took the role as Executive Director and began to lead the organization in a different direction. His vision was focused on teaching skills for mediation and conflict resolution that might some day lead to a lasting peace. Over the years, his vision for the organization continued to expand. This included a trip to Boston and Philadelphia in 1990 to learn about race relations and conflict resolution from a Quaker approach. Then when President Bill Clinton offered to send him and nineteen others to Fordham Law School for training in mediation and negotiation, he jumped at the chance. When I asked Michael what he had learned from the experts in America, he chuckled and said, "don't do it like the Americans". He explained that what he learned in America was an evaluative style of mediation. In this style of mediation, when there is an impasse, the mediator offers suggestions or advice. Doherty continued, "in the Quaker model you never give advice." It is a style that has worked well for Michael and his organization and has led him to opportunities to travel around the world as a mediator and to bring peace to his own country, as well as other lands.<br />
<br />
In 1997 he served on the Parades Commission. This organization grants or denies parade permits to all of the various organizations. This is a position that is highly sought after and extremely demanding and stressful. He ultimately resigned when he was accused by one ot the organizations of denying them a permit for reasons of bias.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qGEvbIotrds/UtGGBNFW-4I/AAAAAAAAAFI/5rkMd_W-Gtw/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qGEvbIotrds/UtGGBNFW-4I/AAAAAAAAAFI/5rkMd_W-Gtw/s1600/003.JPG" height="320" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Mural depicting Nobel Peace Prize Winners</b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I asked Micheal what he was most proud of, he thought for a moment and then replied, "when I help to save a life". It would be fair to say that through his work over the years he has helped to save many lives and has much to be proud of. In addition to his work as a trainer and mediator, Michael has also written several books and training manuals on peace building and mediation. His most current book will be released in June, 2014 and is entitled, <i>The Peace Builders Workbook: For Facilitators working in Divided Societies.</i> <br />
<br />
When I asked Michael what comes next for him on this challenging and unexpected journey. He acknowledged that he would not be in this role forever, and one of his responsibilities is to help train the next generation of leaders and peace builders. <br />
<br />
Doherty has no illusions about the fragility of the peace process and knows that there is much more work to be done. While the future will likely not be free of violence, he believes that what will be different is how the community responds and that they will not tolerate a return to the past. So, as the people of Northern Ireland pursue their march towards peace, it clear that Michael Doherty remans at the head of that parade.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-6196049293815883142014-01-12T02:49:00.001-08:002014-01-12T02:49:33.387-08:00A Family Affair for the Future of The Fountain’s Youth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N2DVrbJGCRw/UtJr2D1U8AI/AAAAAAAAACg/_hbQn1SddaI/s1600/profile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N2DVrbJGCRw/UtJr2D1U8AI/AAAAAAAAACg/_hbQn1SddaI/s1600/profile.jpg" height="198" width="200" /></a></div>
By <b>Arlene Melo</b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--4HD5iq3aKY/UtH8kvj4jwI/AAAAAAAAABM/tGrKaDr8rG0/s1600/Cathedral1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--4HD5iq3aKY/UtH8kvj4jwI/AAAAAAAAABM/tGrKaDr8rG0/s1600/Cathedral1.png" height="131" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral Youth Club</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rujtZuM2rpE/UtH9lDyCr4I/AAAAAAAAABk/FN4Azug1SRo/s1600/graham+warke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rujtZuM2rpE/UtH9lDyCr4I/AAAAAAAAABk/FN4Azug1SRo/s1600/graham+warke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rujtZuM2rpE/UtH9lDyCr4I/AAAAAAAAABk/FN4Azug1SRo/s1600/graham+warke.jpg" height="115" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graham Warke</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</a>It is 4 o’clock in the afternoon, and the nearly vacant two-floor Cathedral Youth Club is suddenly filled with giggles coming from wide-eyed children, steps from children running up the stairs, and challenges from six-year olds being proposed across the pool table. The youth club – along as the dartboard, pool tables, game consoles, and computers – has come alive. As he completes fundraising proposals and unpacks the latest tools for the club, Graham Warke glances out the commemorating window outside the main office and walks out to welcome the schoolchildren, along with Alan Warke, who is the club’s African drum instructor, mentor, and my personal guide for the “Footsteps Through The Fountain” tour. After a few minutes, one of the young boys smiles at Graham as he accepts the boy’s invitation to play a game of darts.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gDPcjAIFQJI/UtH8ZEU_qpI/AAAAAAAAABE/OR5kE1tYXDI/s1600/alan+warke.jpg" height="132" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alan Warke</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Graham and Alan Warke are the sons of Jeanette Warke and the late David Warke, co-founder of the Cathedral Youth Club. The Warke family has been actively involved with the youth club since it’s beginning in the old Cathedral School London Street, within the city walls. Opened in 1972, the youth club aimed to provide a facility for Protestant young people to participate in recreational activities once a week during the difficult time of civil unrest in the years of the Troubles.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t5RFFQh_2qc/UtH_YcjS79I/AAAAAAAAAB0/LLv2eF_dufk/s1600/DSC_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t5RFFQh_2qc/UtH_YcjS79I/AAAAAAAAAB0/LLv2eF_dufk/s1600/DSC_0332.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Office window commemorating David Warke</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After moving locations in the years that followed, the youth club opened its current location in 1980 in The Fountain Estate area. The club pledged to continue their mentorship for young people living in The Fountain Estate, the Waterside and near surroundings. The Fountain is presently the last Protestant area on the city side of the River Foyle in Londonderry. With the Protestant population declining rapidly, the Foundation community has made efforts to maintain its culture and history, with tri-color painted sidewalks and British flags. As the only youth club in the Protestant area, the club provides an environment where young children can participate in dance, art and computer classes, along with drama workshops and sports matches.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8rCVvSCtzM/UtH_ipMfhEI/AAAAAAAAACE/Uz2xplfx9GA/s1600/view+of+the+fountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8rCVvSCtzM/UtH_ipMfhEI/AAAAAAAAACE/Uz2xplfx9GA/s1600/view+of+the+fountain.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of The Fountain from the youth club</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Cathedral Youth Club aims to provide a safe environment for the youth to expand their horizons and participate in activities that can guide them to build bridges through educational and recreational activities, and encourage the young people to get involved in cross community programs – rather than be ignited with the hostility experienced throughout the city’s history.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zloG8RSxrDI/UtJp8RTeYpI/AAAAAAAAACU/KwxcK9O4oRs/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zloG8RSxrDI/UtJp8RTeYpI/AAAAAAAAACU/KwxcK9O4oRs/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" height="200" width="156" /></a></div>
In December 2013, Graham Warke was acknowledged with a special recognition award from the Youth Justice Agency for supporting young people through reparation. Graham takes pride in encouraging young people to reflect on their offending behavior while helping restore fractured relationships in the community. He has also been working closely with both Catholic and Protestant schools to bridge the differences experienced in both communities, through soccer and boxing matches. “It’s great to see the youth shake hands and enjoy a great match as a team,” expressed Graham.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yXSrwyw8C14/UtH_aOb-cKI/AAAAAAAAAB8/5Ac6Zspkk5I/s1600/youth1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yXSrwyw8C14/UtH_aOb-cKI/AAAAAAAAAB8/5Ac6Zspkk5I/s1600/youth1.jpg" height="154" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The youth club has also recently introduced the “Footsteps Through The Fountain” project where teenagers from The Fountain offer tours to Catholic students in order to change the stigma and introduce them to The Fountain community and culture. As expressed by Dean, one of the young tour guides, “Everyone is welcome on what should be a very exciting and informative tour. I’m looking forward to showing people around our area and showing them the murals and other historic tourist attractions like the jail.”<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3qLkjZbxhM/UtH8uwNej-I/AAAAAAAAABc/an0wpWjFJ4M/s1600/bronze1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3qLkjZbxhM/UtH8uwNej-I/AAAAAAAAABc/an0wpWjFJ4M/s1600/bronze1.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a>As felt throughout the city, Graham has been pleased to see how calm Londonderry has been in the last two years. “In the last year or so, people are coming together and talking through their problems. It’s been completely different and it’s looking brighter for our youth.” This was vividly expressed when Graham began to describe the scene during the recent City of Culture events occurring around the city the last couple of months. “It was great to see the youth come together, despite their different backgrounds, and be united through music. This would have never been possible a couple of years ago.”<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-onHXEvlbeTo/UtH8rAvih0I/AAAAAAAAABU/dJ8Zn4C0ws4/s1600/bronze2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-onHXEvlbeTo/UtH8rAvih0I/AAAAAAAAABU/dJ8Zn4C0ws4/s1600/bronze2.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a>As you walk around the rooms in the Cathedral Youth Club and gaze at the murals outside the club, there is a vivid sense of community and pride in The Fountain’s heritage the Warke family has fostered throughout the years, but most significantly, there is a palpable feeling of the desire for the youth to be liberated from the past. A few meters away from the youth club, in the community garden, a bronze sculpture of a young apprentice angel can be seen. Designed by youth club members and artist Ross Wilson, the sculpture is patterned with keys collected from within The Fountain Estate, along with a recast key from the Siege of Derry in 1689. The plaque summarizes the hope the community holds for its youth’s future, “…the Past is always present but the Future is key to us all, we alone have the power to unlock it and the right to experience it.”
<br />
<br />
For more information on the Cathedral Youth Club, click <a href="http://www.footstepsthroughthefountain.com/">here</a>.
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-rujtZuM2rpE%2FUtH9lDyCr4I%2FAAAAAAAAABk%2FFN4Azug1SRo%2Fs1600%2Fgraham%2Bwarke.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rujtZuM2rpE/UtH9lDyCr4I/AAAAAAAAABk/FN4Azug1SRo/s1600/graham+warke.jpg" -->Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-46822246034695878062014-01-12T02:44:00.000-08:002014-01-12T02:44:01.183-08:00Empowering Women Through Communication <style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">By: <b>Jennifer Blank Hecht </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">A strong,
intelligent, well-spoken woman makes time for me amidst the chaos of running an
organization and moving to a new location in a few days’ time. Boxes and
garbage bags surround her desk, as her phone is ringing, but she wholeheartedly
welcomes me with tea. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08CzOH7Z6ww6yWoa00RuuDFT7-7qXFCAW_DFX0kS3VPM_K-kgSCnCSHq2od2FW1gcswdowcxFXnYyC1jAya8Kt3di94crlVBJF0z_wYADZq3dm8N4R7GBCfWJkTTaQUNnezt0s0oenEQ3/s1600/IMG_1513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 2em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08CzOH7Z6ww6yWoa00RuuDFT7-7qXFCAW_DFX0kS3VPM_K-kgSCnCSHq2od2FW1gcswdowcxFXnYyC1jAya8Kt3di94crlVBJF0z_wYADZq3dm8N4R7GBCfWJkTTaQUNnezt0s0oenEQ3/s1600/IMG_1513.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catherine Cooke at FWIN offices </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just twenty
years ago, Catherine Cooke formed Foyle Women’s Information Network (FWIN)
taking foundational relationships built by women in segregated communities to
the next level of building alliances—together—making the community stronger.
They created freedom of movement so women could make their way into each
other’s communities and feel safe. The group provides an opportunity for women
of all generations to discuss health, education, and leadership and to learn
skills to better their lives—from writing a CV to learning to be a DJ! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioj9sa8kXXgqQWPz8akvtQoBpEMhtbT2owknOAzxYR9NJf0679nm3iLHmdIwc9QlLWJ7zdkYRHZo6OMQfwaLZ0JxXyZ6cEc1eyBOw45h05It4uFua3WEw7ppYhQepu-Rv4sNv6lKzuogx_/s1600/IMG_1509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioj9sa8kXXgqQWPz8akvtQoBpEMhtbT2owknOAzxYR9NJf0679nm3iLHmdIwc9QlLWJ7zdkYRHZo6OMQfwaLZ0JxXyZ6cEc1eyBOw45h05It4uFua3WEw7ppYhQepu-Rv4sNv6lKzuogx_/s1600/IMG_1509.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">In 2009, several
women were chosen from around the world as delegates to the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> (CEDAW). Due to all of her work on empowering women in
Northern Ireland, Catherine was selected. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
addition to being a delegate, Catherine was chosen to participate in two weeks
of leadership training with Hillary Clinton, political consultant, Bob Schrum
and US senators. She is now helping to create a European pilot program to
increase the voice of women in politics. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">You may be
wondering how Catherine made it to this point…how does a woman born in the
Fountain, a few years before The Troubles of Londonderry/Derry eventually
meet the former U.S. Secretary of State? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Catherine grew
up like other children in Northern Ireland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her best friends were all of the same community—Protestant. Her father was
a B-special in Ulster Special Constabulary. When she was four years old, her
family was threatened and ultimately had to leave the city. They moved into a
new house that her mother loved and her father hated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sorely missed his home and community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her parents decided to return to Londonderry,
despite the difficult times. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPo5B79RzXvcJ-hTYJodhKlf3wn-orL8Tn_obQYW8EMRULoeSwwnxVvza1YqQAMSW885Wn5rcqsyRbAEWbaciLOHsxLn5F9LWVueSKScgZ4Gnq7bps0_b-o4skbG6uhl7wdNBwTU3GTG8f/s1600/IMG_1387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 2em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPo5B79RzXvcJ-hTYJodhKlf3wn-orL8Tn_obQYW8EMRULoeSwwnxVvza1YqQAMSW885Wn5rcqsyRbAEWbaciLOHsxLn5F9LWVueSKScgZ4Gnq7bps0_b-o4skbG6uhl7wdNBwTU3GTG8f/s1600/IMG_1387.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Augustine's Chapel in Londonderry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Discrimination for
Protestants was prevalent, the economy was poor, and it was impossible to find
a job or a home in one of the top ten deprived communities in Northern Ireland.
Eventually, the Dean of the Cathedral at St. Augustine’s Chapel provided her
father and mother with the opportunity to be caretakers of the church. The
family cleaned and cared for their House of God. To this day, she is part of
the community at St. Augustine’s chapel. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">When she was 19,
she married a Protestant man and settled into a cozy home with four daughters. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few
years after living there, and five days before Christmas, the IRA planted bombs
on Catherine’s street. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Windows were
shattered. Doors were blown off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
neighbor was killed, and many homes were demolished. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">What is a mother
to do when she walks out her door and bombs are an everyday part of life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can she protect her sons and daughters? The
mothers of Catherine’s community knew they had to take action. Some of the
community mothers began to collect 50p from every house to fundraise for
community development. They began to take children from both communities on
outings together. Catherine gave the 50p, but she was not ready to give up her
children to the field trips. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">As the community
group grew, they needed a typist to gather notes and send out letters. That was
something Catherine felt she could contribute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Little did Catherine realize this one action was the avenue, which would
eventually lead her to become the amazing pillar of the community and role
model. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the 1980’s
and 1990’s, this group of mothers was not relevant to officials. If you weren’t
elected, you didn’t have a voice. But these women continued to fight and
believe in their cause, as well as to build trust with other mothers on
opposing sides –and they finally got a seat at the table to share their
perspectives.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">They were
starting to make a difference. When Loyalist paramilitary became violent one
day, the group of mothers approached them and asked them to “please exercise
some leadership.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mothers began to
share stories about current activities and how they could keep both communities
safe, as well as keep youth out of criminal activity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When her Loyalist friends and family angrily questioned
why she was crossing solid boundaries to work with their enemies, she posited,
“When you go into the stable of horses, you don’t come out a horse, do you? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are the same person as when you went in.” Catherine
did not change her identity, but she listened and began to communicate in order
to gain perspective and provoke change. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Catherine and
other women changed the environment that male leaders were accustomed to and
instead, utilized dialogue and empathy to understand how to move forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to Catherine, “Sometimes you don’t
have to raise your voice or hand,” but rather talk about how you feel. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">She believes
there is still work to be done. Women are still not active in politics. As much
as FWIN does to support female youth and get them ready for leadership and
public life, sometimes they are more sectarian than the older generation. They
still fight for orange or green. Catherine believes that until politics change
and people begin to vote for the person rather than the party, in many ways,
there will be more of the same. In order for the peacebuilding process to
continue, female perspectives need to be heard and utilized. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Toward the end
of the interview, I asked Catherine if there is anything she wishes that
outside communities knew about The Conflict.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Immediately she answered that she wants Americans to understand that
1969 should have focused on Civil Rights for both parties. She feels Americans
only hear the Catholic side of the story—when everyone lost family members and
homes—everyone was grieving for the community that was lost. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijM48xfuAbMWqMRJI-_qQB1tJ1VOONK4CYD-zpBbw6XF7nwJrR2vV1YoStg-diwDRNgx1Q0XAQ-XCGFSO6cJCfufTiGEu6K5O3vQxg0h3InuZ-7DxPVw8mew8hw9NI3r-l7Q37dPOQjBst/s1600/IMG_1515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijM48xfuAbMWqMRJI-_qQB1tJ1VOONK4CYD-zpBbw6XF7nwJrR2vV1YoStg-diwDRNgx1Q0XAQ-XCGFSO6cJCfufTiGEu6K5O3vQxg0h3InuZ-7DxPVw8mew8hw9NI3r-l7Q37dPOQjBst/s1600/IMG_1515.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FWIN's cow artwork demonstrates a jigsaw puzzle that when connected brings everything (the community) together.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Catherine and
FWIN have made great achievements on bringing women together. And while she
could stop there and be satisfied, she continues to use her life experiences,
dialogue, and empathy to mentor others on how to make LondonDerry/Derry—and the
world—a better place. </span></div>
Jenn Blank Hecht http://www.blogger.com/profile/13863799348245329023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-84493214834562192732014-01-12T02:40:00.001-08:002014-01-12T02:40:29.686-08:00A Story about Storytelling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQKQaYm_Oa-BvxSLIKhVrqgESoaEjfhwF54KT9Wr8G6t_Qzf6gomfZghBqndSCIuC76pI3dpKkl7uq__tOTIvg54mUIWCB4rFVkb9DMYbOl07MygHLLYF-n3vqCeN3Gd51ZmgW3O68QE/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQKQaYm_Oa-BvxSLIKhVrqgESoaEjfhwF54KT9Wr8G6t_Qzf6gomfZghBqndSCIuC76pI3dpKkl7uq__tOTIvg54mUIWCB4rFVkb9DMYbOl07MygHLLYF-n3vqCeN3Gd51ZmgW3O68QE/s1600/1.jpg" height="193" width="200" /></a></div>
by: <b>Kathryn Vernon</b><br />When I chose the Nerve Centre from the list of options for our class, I didn’t have an idea of whom or what I would interview. Really, this was one that no one else had claimed – so I wasn’t in competition to interview someone with anyone else in our class. Additionally, in my many walks around the wall in the mornings, I kept seeing this place called the Nerve Centre – intriguing – what could it be?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReXlnOCENvlgYP5IFArQphS____rmoxk28IwaSv3KYxuseRMmdJ0D671eKqDawtcPlOKa2wT5B8c8sPhuMbAec2mUuo24pLqng6i9INnldASQV-yS89mtcE0wBBzsfnUwyTIHCxxiefc/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReXlnOCENvlgYP5IFArQphS____rmoxk28IwaSv3KYxuseRMmdJ0D671eKqDawtcPlOKa2wT5B8c8sPhuMbAec2mUuo24pLqng6i9INnldASQV-yS89mtcE0wBBzsfnUwyTIHCxxiefc/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />I had wandered into the Nerve Centre to ask a couple of investigatory questions and to see if Mr. Martin Melarkey or Mr. John Peto would be available anytime during the week to talk about the Centre and their work. John was available the next day (Wednesday) at noon. <br /><br />John is actually from England whose major in University was Irish Studies. 17 years ago, he came to Derry for graduate studies in peace and conflict. He never left and now lives in Donegal. John is the Director of Education at the Nerve Centre and one of his organization’s many innovative projects is Teaching Divided History. This project revolves around providing training and support for teachers and young people to engage with the recent past through digital technology and to deal with contentious issues.<br />
<br />But, I am getting ahead of myself here. How did the Nerve Centre start and why? Back in 1990, a group of punk musicians asked the City Council to allow them to squat in a building within the walls of Derry. Their idea was to build community across the youth of the area – those who felt left out by school, who couldn’t develop their art, to provide an outlet for creativity. It didn’t have a political ethos, other than to be apolitical. The City Council allowed them to use a building and the Nerve Centre was born. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKN7f9nMl8tWJZQXyU26NmUR2vHz_D54QJw-wBvIMAmUzCdqu4eUGbdX0I0qNp-xJiSvRX5TRxoXPzW966FsfogCd90Cs-Lk8zGJNwq1cVjN4MAbRcDdGEQt98Cdmhl8cdh6zggrkHwk/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKN7f9nMl8tWJZQXyU26NmUR2vHz_D54QJw-wBvIMAmUzCdqu4eUGbdX0I0qNp-xJiSvRX5TRxoXPzW966FsfogCd90Cs-Lk8zGJNwq1cVjN4MAbRcDdGEQt98Cdmhl8cdh6zggrkHwk/s1600/4.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUx0XemyjYIJSd-gkiVYEbTf6JoQSx1VTgaTjqgeVS2WcjMrbbJp9zx2zrEehTBAUk77USIjpcP79TF16jxuGJM-CuqcDLjfit2ZXBIuzAGthvqWtGFHuDpq9z_AHdN8Fw9Gqpd6lL-k/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUx0XemyjYIJSd-gkiVYEbTf6JoQSx1VTgaTjqgeVS2WcjMrbbJp9zx2zrEehTBAUk77USIjpcP79TF16jxuGJM-CuqcDLjfit2ZXBIuzAGthvqWtGFHuDpq9z_AHdN8Fw9Gqpd6lL-k/s1600/3.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a><br />
It became a place where the divide across the communities could be bridged and it developed into a safe place for the youth to meet others like them, to tell their stories, to be accepted for their music, their art, and their love of creativity. <br />
<br />Today the Nerve Centre is housed on Magazine Street inside the walls of the Old City of Derry and has state-of-the-art recording studios, a 60-seat cinema, classrooms, café, and provides training in new digital technologies. It has Magazine Studios next door to its location, as well as the Blast Furnace on Bligh’s Lane in Derry and the Nerve Belfast in Belfast. <br />
<br />The Nerve Centre’s many projects include films like <i>The Battle of the Bogside, Exodus</i>, and <i>Free Derry Films. Sharing Stories</i> is an example of a film-making project that looks at issues of identity and difference and <i>The Pride</i> and <i>Beyond the Walls</i> films have a good conflict focus. Other films include <i>Ulster Blood Sacrifice </i>and <i>Lest We Forget.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMs5U2sKMJSPXyhZuZjxm440jQbkLs5I1hbpVxPq2_cwOo2ySs2X3eJuOl4xWrxkaMew5lApbWHIemQFi0V1vHlTPZWAuTv4OvnUwYxlRQgzEYIXQIXTy4YX3bspLaHSLwyofkSLDFes/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMs5U2sKMJSPXyhZuZjxm440jQbkLs5I1hbpVxPq2_cwOo2ySs2X3eJuOl4xWrxkaMew5lApbWHIemQFi0V1vHlTPZWAuTv4OvnUwYxlRQgzEYIXQIXTy4YX3bspLaHSLwyofkSLDFes/s1600/5.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The Centre has produced a series of animations called the <i>Animated Adventures of CuChulainn</i> and have developed a curriculum linked education pack to go with it. They have also undertaken a similar project about ColmCille – the patron Saint of Derry. This was the heart of the Nerve Centre’s creative educational program for 2013 – as the <i>Digital Book of Kells</i> project. Over 900 school children in Derry~Londonderry were given the opportunity to take part in the creation of the Digital Book of Kells and teachers across the city were trained and supported in delivering creative digital projects within the curriculum.<br />
<br />As you can guess, the Nerve Centre has grown from a place for punk musicians, to a place where youth’s creative desires are embraced and allowed to grow – in fact, encouraged. It sponsors the yearly Foyle Film Festival, as well as numerous other intercultural festivals. The Nerve Centre is now working at a strategic level to develop and support the teaching of a number of new vocational qualifications in the creative industries. Through its two Creative Learning Centres in Belfast and Derry, the Nerve Centre is making these vocational qualifications a reality for thousands of young people in schools across Northern Ireland. They now have the opportunity of an alternative pathway to learning and future employment.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zjs3W4JhLb4I8mBg3oDUyP5vVAmEsUv8ewz2TTwgujTvmtEHj97uSTsrIpWDxj9buBGtnfUZi4TbZVOs0ikYfzH46tuks6q1iqK6MH97MA87P7fJX5ccHYRzfSjZzpcedGd4gZYSQdk/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zjs3W4JhLb4I8mBg3oDUyP5vVAmEsUv8ewz2TTwgujTvmtEHj97uSTsrIpWDxj9buBGtnfUZi4TbZVOs0ikYfzH46tuks6q1iqK6MH97MA87P7fJX5ccHYRzfSjZzpcedGd4gZYSQdk/s1600/6.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />One of the latest endeavors by the Nerve Centre was their <i>Voices City of Culture</i> bid film. It starts with a view of the Irish coast in sunrise and the narrator and a young girl say:<br />
<i><br />History says don’t hope on this side of the grave, but then once in a lifetime, a longed for tidal wave of justice can rise up and hope and history rhyme.<br />I am the product of 6000 years of culture activity in this ancient place.</i><br />
<br />With the background of Snow Patrol singing Just Say Yes, scenes of Derry~Londonderry come alive with color, music, pride, and beauty. The seven-minute film concludes with the narrator and the young girl:<br />
<br /><i>So hope for a great sea change on the far side of revenge, believe that a farther shore is reachable from here. Believe in miracles and cures and healing wells.<br />I have a new story to tell – I need to tell a new story – Just say yes!</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5Mo-rpz-vWL3JIVK7TL3aigeILHf7gWpt-K9-wy8YrWuWeuoP6joy7uw-z3jlq9fOXjG1GOEBk-s6RN1Q2HPwQhTrllXVD_Pr3-L_GNVrYOuclyQ7fifHAyXivP8zAOUpMFMzTrAyTA/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5Mo-rpz-vWL3JIVK7TL3aigeILHf7gWpt-K9-wy8YrWuWeuoP6joy7uw-z3jlq9fOXjG1GOEBk-s6RN1Q2HPwQhTrllXVD_Pr3-L_GNVrYOuclyQ7fifHAyXivP8zAOUpMFMzTrAyTA/s1600/7.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a><br />It is a film that reflects the people and culture of Derry~Londonderry and was written by John Peto – yes, the John we started with in the story. I am amazed at the creativity and love for the city displayed in the film. Here is a link to the film – <br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAdeXkZZLiU">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAdeXkZZLiU</a><br /><br />The Nerve Centre is not trying to change history, but to retell the stories through film and art and music – through the eyes of the people of Northern Ireland and through its youth. It doesn’t take sides; indeed, it works to be even-handed, telling everyone’s stories.<br />
<br />Telling the story of the storyteller was my role – I will not have done it as well as they – but I hope to have done it justice.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-31405275959689987372014-01-12T02:23:00.000-08:002014-01-14T13:59:57.810-08:00People Make a Difference<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<div>
By <b>Katie Hutchens</b><br />
<br />
"Stories evoke empathy. They evoke compassion. You get engaged with them." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2syCtyr43XYbXMCbY3Y78LVcKoUtUWVA6-cdOr2HO1aDDeM5va_zlCK_0f-IuZrkg23km170Q6F7OkGyBIh14kHyZvM0rMTuWO2oVwfebn9jVmbLWEnMpBV-eF42ERB8UQ6EO802Hhw/s1600/IMG_0874+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2syCtyr43XYbXMCbY3Y78LVcKoUtUWVA6-cdOr2HO1aDDeM5va_zlCK_0f-IuZrkg23km170Q6F7OkGyBIh14kHyZvM0rMTuWO2oVwfebn9jVmbLWEnMpBV-eF42ERB8UQ6EO802Hhw/s1600/IMG_0874+%25282%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a>On a sunny and crisp afternoon in the Creggan neighborhood of Derry, school children are making their way past graffitied alley walls. Dissident messages, political slogans and bits of profanity mix with the planned, community-created artwork, forming the visual backdrop for children and adults alike. Eamonn Baker's face lights up as we pass his childhood home across from a playing field with stunning views of the ancient city and the North Atlantic. His pride in his neighborhood is touching and he apologizes for a footpath bordered by bits of rubbish and shuttered businesses. Here in Creggan, there are reminders of the past, as well as hopeful shoots for the future, such as the community-created art, a modern sports complex, and a local shopping "enterprise park."<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AQSsLwxSRJ3vGO4qicbhaU0HHuuZNv-ffRycqAeUhM994YqOCjYV212RPB_X8f9KT954FgSuCbejMsfDHtukRwDx_rWMV_IaeIDD3JB19UrppGQK4oJVY84OGWKEYFNnYLWA_uso-8Y/s1600/CIMG5742+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AQSsLwxSRJ3vGO4qicbhaU0HHuuZNv-ffRycqAeUhM994YqOCjYV212RPB_X8f9KT954FgSuCbejMsfDHtukRwDx_rWMV_IaeIDD3JB19UrppGQK4oJVY84OGWKEYFNnYLWA_uso-8Y/s1600/CIMG5742+%25282%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDIN7I-Vx7UVHp_AdKZamrmwhXAb2Ytf1L3MAnH5HJLzcOB_fXqz04afQI21THi7bwZv8eri3NAc27vVDzVeoShhvJfIaUR6-AybuHKgvgqaNAZqT4m4viQJhu1Nwrp6q3tVj-F5Goak/s1600/IMG_0889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDIN7I-Vx7UVHp_AdKZamrmwhXAb2Ytf1L3MAnH5HJLzcOB_fXqz04afQI21THi7bwZv8eri3NAc27vVDzVeoShhvJfIaUR6-AybuHKgvgqaNAZqT4m4viQJhu1Nwrp6q3tVj-F5Goak/s1600/IMG_0889.JPG" width="149" /></a>As we walk past the the children in their school uniforms, Eamonn talks about his journey from local schoolboy, to Queen's University student, to community worker, and most recently as a training co-ordinator with Towards Understanding and Healing (TUH). The earliest glimpse he provides of his childhood consists of playing football "morning, noon and night" on the field across the street from his family home. During the troubles, he recalls seeing British soldiers positioned for shooting on that field. He also tells me about his father, a quiet man who participated in the first Civil Rights marches in 1968, and how upset he was to be on the receiving end of a government water cannon. </div>
<div>
<br />
These days, he is a training co-ordinator at The Junction, in the Derry city center, and conducts residential gatherings and workshops as part of an EU funded program for peace and reconciliation. These encounters seek to bring together groups of people affected by the "troubles." The participants are supported and guided as they <span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">focus on dealing with their past through storytelling and positive encounter dialogue. The participants, usually former combatants or family members, tell their stories and listen to the experiences of others. These personal, heartfelt encounters invoke and evoke the power of empathy and compassion, and offer the participants a chance to redefine themselves. Post-conflict, it is common for people to define their identity in relation to their former enemy, or as a victim of their former enemy. These encounters, and the positive messaging throughout local areas, are first steps to giving residents the tools to define their own past and future. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3shnpoVKD9YT3ItHTWvwGg5OzWlJIlrdmP0bcNGk9Pbcr2IES1UfDOHFqiSZtCk4-qheJKRuwC6GQJYMUdo9tSR0TU-Krc1egPeMN5s_7UzOW9u7oYnGIa4g1ULu5eEDsvlAiQhy_Bo/s1600/IMG_0901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3shnpoVKD9YT3ItHTWvwGg5OzWlJIlrdmP0bcNGk9Pbcr2IES1UfDOHFqiSZtCk4-qheJKRuwC6GQJYMUdo9tSR0TU-Krc1egPeMN5s_7UzOW9u7oYnGIa4g1ULu5eEDsvlAiQhy_Bo/s1600/IMG_0901.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Eamonn started by telling his story, but in doing so, he also told me the story of his neighborhood, and the people within it. While touring the streets and alleyways, we passed grassy patches and shop doorways where people had been killed or wounded, but we also saw walls painted with anti-drug slogans and murals of local sports heroes and leaders. The evolution of our conversation, and our walk, moved from the dark past to a brighter future. On a stretch of Central Drive, an area once referred to by some as "the Gaza Strip", stands the modern, Old Library Trust Healthy Living Centre. A peek through the window revealed wood flooring and spinning bikes worthy of any L.A. gym. The staff described their popular, frequently oversubscribed programs for adults, children, families, and seniors. These programs encourage healthful eating, disease prevention, smoking cessation and exercise. When people are focused on their health and well-being, they are making changes and choosing to create a better future for themselves. The positive changes can also be created mentally. Changing negative thought patterns and habits can be a powerful tool for betterment and improvement. A nearby sign reads, "If you believe in yourself anything is possible." </span><br />
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMAhr9jptKe8w1cPAHVOdmFazHrmamBr2-ys3NSExwIXnK8_W4iN9YcllKCxkNxbw6xsiyOVGWjt_dY0lnp4_sEBq0QxwkFboSA_zlYyCdWmUCh8DXFcLSh217E8zCxkax20RHWnTGuw/s1600/IMG_0903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMAhr9jptKe8w1cPAHVOdmFazHrmamBr2-ys3NSExwIXnK8_W4iN9YcllKCxkNxbw6xsiyOVGWjt_dY0lnp4_sEBq0QxwkFboSA_zlYyCdWmUCh8DXFcLSh217E8zCxkax20RHWnTGuw/s1600/IMG_0903.JPG" width="145" /></a><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Just behind the Healthy Living Centre is a state of the art children's playground and football (soccer) pitch. We both comment on how the fence around the pitch is meant to keep the ball in play, rather than separate people, unlike the "peace" or "security" walls. This playground and football pitch have been built on the same field where Eamonn played football as a child. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">As we made our way down the hill from Creggan in the late afternoon sun, we passed a red brick wall decorated with murals and slogans titled, "The Creggan Story" and "People Make a Difference," The Eastway Wall Art project provides an alternative to graffiti, and educates using the history of Creggan. Difficult times are depicted on the wall, such as the fight for Civil Rights, and Bloody Sunday. There is no attempt to forget the past. It is hard not to feel a local sense of pride, even as an outsider, when viewing this wall of people and their stories. Eamonn made a point of putting himself in the shoes of someone walking up that hill to their home from the shops. He asked me to imagine carrying heavy bags uphill in the cold. We discussed how looking at those colorful, positive messages along the road might help make the load just a little bit more bearable, and how it may bring a bit of hope for the future to someone still struggling today.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoYCMv9KpL13Dqyugea4WDQ95xbBYMngbZHEYoegtUEGadW_-6V5puKCCJ0GWpoVBERNrb2QEmesippS92KXAa2JCwmOnYIi7syDBuOYxITGJRsU9FD86WXjt1qn_OXe3riHa3U-pWlg/s1600/CIMG5737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoYCMv9KpL13Dqyugea4WDQ95xbBYMngbZHEYoegtUEGadW_-6V5puKCCJ0GWpoVBERNrb2QEmesippS92KXAa2JCwmOnYIi7syDBuOYxITGJRsU9FD86WXjt1qn_OXe3riHa3U-pWlg/s1600/CIMG5737.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNysv6kJt3zaRvoVM48fdn0UXn7KVdTj13nmkAIuwlWYvxtJd_UGxzIyAZSGNa857PE0e92qOjz_LICiXjegIpI95VdHk4yzgCoX8k8dp4CASahven9ToTlVXOqonGDdce2HAy-fBL0k0/s1600/CIMG5739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNysv6kJt3zaRvoVM48fdn0UXn7KVdTj13nmkAIuwlWYvxtJd_UGxzIyAZSGNa857PE0e92qOjz_LICiXjegIpI95VdHk4yzgCoX8k8dp4CASahven9ToTlVXOqonGDdce2HAy-fBL0k0/s1600/CIMG5739.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfaXZ09SfBmw76P79cX44hDyRbvTX86FIePFZtMnSDrk7IjN5N2T76b2IOTxvl18OYj22jpwr09UcoFsyesE_HpiQcgeJ5JLAEFKclWZfeHtXxXdUdLpqOiG_tfaBcxl0YXKWTPz9FS2w/s1600/CIMG5743+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfaXZ09SfBmw76P79cX44hDyRbvTX86FIePFZtMnSDrk7IjN5N2T76b2IOTxvl18OYj22jpwr09UcoFsyesE_HpiQcgeJ5JLAEFKclWZfeHtXxXdUdLpqOiG_tfaBcxl0YXKWTPz9FS2w/s1600/CIMG5743+(2).JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-jWmifmlzC4M%2FUtGQlh5TQUI%2FAAAAAAAAADI%2F9U3_Mgkq5j0%2Fs1600%2FCIMG5742%2B%2525282%252529.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AQSsLwxSRJ3vGO4qicbhaU0HHuuZNv-ffRycqAeUhM994YqOCjYV212RPB_X8f9KT954FgSuCbejMsfDHtukRwDx_rWMV_IaeIDD3JB19UrppGQK4oJVY84OGWKEYFNnYLWA_uso-8Y/s1600/CIMG5742+%25282%2529.JPG" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07896909362548340773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-70945267593138624562014-01-11T18:25:00.000-08:002014-01-12T02:29:42.455-08:00Truth. Justice. Healing.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E28iXXNrDQw/Ussod4y2cAI/AAAAAAAAAAo/Ig8n9dmBack/s1600/Profile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E28iXXNrDQw/Ussod4y2cAI/AAAAAAAAAAo/Ig8n9dmBack/s1600/Profile.jpg" height="200" width="147" /></a><br />
<b>By Ron Bateman</b><br />
<br />
A small 2 x 2 poster caught my eye as I was leaving the Museum of Free Derry. After two hours visiting with the Museum’s Outreach & Education Coordinator, John Kelly, I nearly missed the simple, elegant little poster next to the door. A broken circle set on a stained red background. An empty shell casing centered above the words “Truth, Justice, Healing”. The poster instantly brought John’s story into focus.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KHw9t3m8tso/UtHxudbqq2I/AAAAAAAAACI/Qgl6Ixosw6c/s1600/IMG_0486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KHw9t3m8tso/UtHxudbqq2I/AAAAAAAAACI/Qgl6Ixosw6c/s1600/IMG_0486.JPG" height="320" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Kelly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There is a solemn approachability to John Kelly. In our short time together, he seldom smiled, but his voice and demeanor were always calm and peaceful. He spoke warmly of his younger brother, Michael, who was only seventeen on January 30, 1972. Six years his junior, Michael was studying to repair sewing machines on that Bloody Sunday.<br />
<br />
Without pause, in a voice that has spoken the story countless times in the past four decades, John begins: “The thing about Michael is he was never at a march before. I spoke to him just before the march and just warned him to be careful and if anything happened to just go home. He just never got the opportunity. He was standing outside…behind a barricade on Rossville Street. In a crowd of about 30-40 people when a soldier fired a shot into the crowd and Michael was the unlucky one. Could have been any one of the 30-40 people.”<br />
<br />
The randomness doesn’t seem to bother John; the senselessness does. If the bullet hadn’t found Michael, it would’ve found another. He was only yards away, crouching behind cover when he saw his brother, shot in the stomach, being brought out of a flat in Abbey Park. He rode with his brother in the ambulance to the hospital. The doctor pronounced Michael dead upon arrival. When his father arrived just before six p.m., he relayed the terrible news. “I still remember him sliding down the wall, crying.”
<br />
<br />
John’s work with the Bloody Sunday Trust began as a Family Liaison Officer in 1997. He acted as a conduit for the families and the outside world as they pushed to get the truth out about the events of that day and the subsequent cover-up. In 2004, he moved into the position he now holds at the museum.
<br />
<br />
John’s voice swells with pride when he speaks of the day in June 2010 when the Saville Report was released and his brother and the others killed that day were exonerated. Gathered with other family members inside Guild Hall, waiting for nearly 5 hours for British Prime Minister David Cameron’s statement, they could barely contain themselves. “It’s been a long journey. It took us 38 ½ years to get the full declaration of innocence for our people. During the campaign we had three demands: one was the declaration of innocence for our people, the second was the repudiation of Widgery…and the third one was the prosecution of the soldiers.”<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rYMQfXIHHtk/UtHylC2TWZI/AAAAAAAAACQ/YJff_KghrF0/s1600/IMG_0519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rYMQfXIHHtk/UtHylC2TWZI/AAAAAAAAACQ/YJff_KghrF0/s1600/IMG_0519.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pointing to a picture of his brother, Michael</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
John took time to show me around the museum, pointing to a blood-soaked infant’s outfit used to treat his brother’s wound that afternoon. I struggled to catch my breath as he showed me a picture of his little brother, dying. He points to the subtleties in pictures – like the barely visible time on the clock tower – that could only be gained through years of intense study. Afterwards, we went outside so he could orient me to Rossville Street. Only a few dozen steps from the front door of the museum, he pointed first to an innocuous light post mere feet from where we were standing where his brother was shot while standing behind a rubble barricade. Then, he pointed to a small parapet wall half a block away, adjacent to the <i>Peace</i> mural, where a British soldier fired the shot that killed Michael. It’s a tragic juxtaposition.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SUckbdJ-BnE/UtHzZ_MiGsI/AAAAAAAAACY/m3VIMlYbytE/s1600/IMG_0617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SUckbdJ-BnE/UtHzZ_MiGsI/AAAAAAAAACY/m3VIMlYbytE/s1600/IMG_0617.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael was shot near the lamp post centered in picture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
John’s is a story that isn’t finished, though. Like that broken circle on the poster, he and the family members that remain (and <i>remember</i>) feel that justice has yet to be seen. His work in the Museum of Free Derry and the Saville Report have provided both truth and healing, but justice remains elusive. He believes that, “the healing process for me is a constant process whereby I am able to talk about it every day and relay the story of what happened through my work. I think it boils down to the satisfaction of knowing that when people come in here they walk away with the true story.”<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tr-GHiG9quI/UtH1I7eVEKI/AAAAAAAAACk/rZWubnlautA/s1600/IMG_0613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tr-GHiG9quI/UtH1I7eVEKI/AAAAAAAAACk/rZWubnlautA/s1600/IMG_0613.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John pointing to Michael's picture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
However, he is quick to state that, “A lot of people are still suffering here and they need closure. They need truth <i>and</i> justice.” One cannot help but wonder: If the civilians were innocent, how could the soldiers not be guilty?<br />
<br />
Before leaving John took time to show me something I hadn’t seen in the poster – the blurry faces of the 14 civilians killed that afternoon. Hidden in the gold band, broken and interrupted by the shell casing, is each lost life. He reminded me that, "This was never about vengeance. This was about truth and justice, about the fact that 14 innocent people were murdered and the British Government covered it up. Over the years we were castigated; we were ignored." <br />
<br />
John’s journey for justice continues.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wFtlaWvLPn8/UtH3bEzSdyI/AAAAAAAAACw/5PxQzb5a_pc/s1600/IMG_0562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wFtlaWvLPn8/UtH3bEzSdyI/AAAAAAAAACw/5PxQzb5a_pc/s1600/IMG_0562.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bloody Sunday Memorial</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-58994383530534861142014-01-11T15:28:00.000-08:002014-01-12T02:29:42.422-08:00The 'Stubborn Gladness' of Garvin Kerrby <b>Sarah Matz </b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mkvj2RlRO08/UtHLOoze2jI/AAAAAAAAAB4/IE9I0VkMlqQ/s1600/DSC_0028B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mkvj2RlRO08/UtHLOoze2jI/AAAAAAAAAB4/IE9I0VkMlqQ/s1600/DSC_0028B.jpg" height="229" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garvin as he recounts his memory of Bloody Sunday</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the late Sunday afternoon of January 30, 1972—just weeks after Garvin Kerr’s 14th birthday—his family received word that several people were violently killed by British solders near the bogside area of ‘Free Derry’. Fear flooded Garvin’s home and permeated throughout his tiny community of Creggan, a predominately Catholic-Nationalist neighborhood in the hills of Derry, Northern Ireland.<br />
<br />
Rumors rippled throughout town about who was involved, who was hurt, and what exactly happened following the day’s planned civil rights demonstration. Sadly and unexpectedly, the Kerr family phone rang and tragic news was relayed—a family member was dead as a result of the troubled and fierce exchange. Garvin’s mother sobbed and fell to her knees in prayer. Garvin’s throat swelled as his heart sank and the memory of Bloody Sunday permanently fixed itself in the young man’s soul.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u_1h5eNrRak/UtHLOtU9LWI/AAAAAAAAAB0/FWj1tSVAhXk/s1600/IMG_2613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u_1h5eNrRak/UtHLOtU9LWI/AAAAAAAAAB0/FWj1tSVAhXk/s1600/IMG_2613.JPG" height="188" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The walls surround Derry, an ancient 17th century city</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Today, Garvin is a well-respected and widely known gentleman who spends his days trudging the walls of Derry and introducing tourists to the city. As an official tour guide, he brings 25 years of former Royal Post experience to his job. He knows every street in Derry and tells stories of days gone and hopes for a more peaceful future in Northern Ireland. As he takes visitors through town and recounts its history, he does not shy away from the city’s harrowing past. Instead, he finds ways to weave in tales of better times to give a more complete picture of life during the ‘Troubles’. Garvin, insisting on finding pleasure and wonder in even the darkest moments of the human experience, often says, “If we don’t laugh, we’ll cry.”<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq6KwBnjxDQ/UtHLWebpkdI/AAAAAAAAACE/dExclg4sOfg/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq6KwBnjxDQ/UtHLWebpkdI/AAAAAAAAACE/dExclg4sOfg/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun sets on the city of Derry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When speaking, Garvin’s words come from the heart. They are full of maturity and almost biblical in scope and wisdom. He says people often ask how he managed to survive the Troubles. Garvin first credits his parents for raising him as well his brothers and sisters from a place of respect for everyone. He adds that when he finds it difficult to understand something, his approach is to go back to basics. “Draw a flat line,” he says, “and work your way back up.” To illustrate his point, he declares, “That sun is going to go down tonight and me or you are not going to stop it. So get up and get on with it. Tomorrow is going to come irrespective of what we do.” He says people must make the best of their lifetime and reiterates his point by saying, “I have to be ready for tomorrow if God gives it to me.”<br />
<br />
Through the stories he tells on his Derry city tours, he hopes he leaves visitors feeling life was not all bad during the Troubles. When asked about his favorite memory, Garvin pauses as he mentally sifts through a lifetime of experience and stories. With a soft smile and twinkle in his eye, he affectionately says he loved the excitement of being young and falling in love with his wife, Marie. At age 15, Garvin met young Marie and by age 18, they were married. He says they knew immediately they were right for each other. They were excited to be a young married couple and looked forward to starting a life and family together.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mYllLHiJP5U/UtHLgaS02ZI/AAAAAAAAACU/HbfA30Fnpn0/s1600/IMG_2635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mYllLHiJP5U/UtHLgaS02ZI/AAAAAAAAACU/HbfA30Fnpn0/s1600/IMG_2635.JPG" height="236" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From right: Garvin, Karen, Brendan, Marie, Emmett & Garvin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Today, Garvin and Marie have been married for 37 years and they have three grown children, Karen, Garvin, and Emmett. In his stories he conveys moments of wonder and a sense of extraordinariness about life, and how even in darkness it seems to be worth it, after all. Poet Jack Gilbert once wrote, “We must risk delight. We can do without pleasure, but not delight. Not enjoyment. We must have the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless furnace of this world.”<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-69eTMgZ1OCc/UtHLd5N783I/AAAAAAAAACM/v_xUWB2m8IM/s1600/IMG_2633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-69eTMgZ1OCc/UtHLd5N783I/AAAAAAAAACM/v_xUWB2m8IM/s1600/IMG_2633.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young Garvin sitting on his father's lap</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Garvin exemplifies this sentiment and believes in his heart of hearts that love conquers all, especially at life’s bleakest moments. And while the future of Northern Ireland is bright, Garvin knows there is still work to be done. He hopes sharing stories of the good and bad will help pave the way for peace and bliss. “I’m going nowhere,” he says, “I have so many people left in my life to touch and to make happy.”<br />
<br />
Even still, people have a hard time understanding Garvin’s love of life in spite of the Troubles. From his perspective those people face a false division. To him, they see the world divided into realists who say the world is terrible, or naïve optimists who say the world is wonderful. Garvin’s approach is somewhere in the middle. He sees the world as terrible <i>and </i>wonderful and his obligation is to joy. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-63012693785495361752014-01-11T14:45:00.002-08:002014-03-01T16:48:30.350-08:00Northern Ireland in Picturesby <b>Sarah Matz</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Aci26PvbBdM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
A video montage from our time in Derry and other parts of Northern Ireland.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-30663941156088087952014-01-11T12:56:00.002-08:002014-01-11T12:58:43.632-08:00Youth: the Future of Derry<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGUh6vcEqhA9jhLE-T25yxEXCue-NDwhsbr0VzjDZvaa2mHoUdGG2Tl0J_xNa-ceams-FtbFAO4zif0spvGKsm8J_bzQXVsWXxASzNkfe26zKxBWzRT-yvO7torN8FVt16T3JId1Vdpk/s1600/DSC00264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGUh6vcEqhA9jhLE-T25yxEXCue-NDwhsbr0VzjDZvaa2mHoUdGG2Tl0J_xNa-ceams-FtbFAO4zif0spvGKsm8J_bzQXVsWXxASzNkfe26zKxBWzRT-yvO7torN8FVt16T3JId1Vdpk/s1600/DSC00264.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykgxpv06Et2sRv-_BVBvBGrzYaXCLBKqMXicO2r8eJMe6WAosue3iAgMrEf1EtuwBaHks-PXlD5jkG34ElCGQmMwRqMcoCHWe0iFbX9S9d4gpRphxd6kqo26yuDzBMs4YK-9TLua39sk/s1600/Untitled6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykgxpv06Et2sRv-_BVBvBGrzYaXCLBKqMXicO2r8eJMe6WAosue3iAgMrEf1EtuwBaHks-PXlD5jkG34ElCGQmMwRqMcoCHWe0iFbX9S9d4gpRphxd6kqo26yuDzBMs4YK-9TLua39sk/s1600/Untitled6.jpg" /></a>by <b>Sarah Sinese</b><br />
A red arching gate with two iron fixtures of children holding hands stands as the entrance to one of the two integrated primary schools in Derry, Northern Ireland. The symbolism of this welcoming illustrates the unique shared interactions these students experience. As I enter the sliding glass doors, I am surprised to find the principal sitting alongside secretaries at the front desk instead of stowed away in her office. Principal Anne Murray makes it clear how important it is for her to make connections with the students and staff on a daily basis.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivlE8OUtPT60R9oSDfwK4VWIf8cppWPDtnV3WKxyvZhEywducTNv_9i07WLauOYWaNcgt0S4hIMNa9f0ow2_k5Cfd2fg6Ugu6BAXIriF6X637HlSIoRD54-6aQgtmx8uRf2qdKLMlY5g/s1600/DSC00246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivlE8OUtPT60R9oSDfwK4VWIf8cppWPDtnV3WKxyvZhEywducTNv_9i07WLauOYWaNcgt0S4hIMNa9f0ow2_k5Cfd2fg6Ugu6BAXIriF6X637HlSIoRD54-6aQgtmx8uRf2qdKLMlY5g/s1600/DSC00246.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>When speaking with fellow advocates for peace within the city, there seems to be a consensus that the youth are the main actors towards a peaceful future. Anne shares this view and continually expressed her faith in the upcoming generations, but was also quick to state the reality of the current situation. The context remains where youth live and go to school separately.<br />
<br />
This division directly stems from the history of the area. Although Anne recalls the horror in the streets during The Troubles, it was during this period that she truly found her calling. The year of 1973, in the aftermath of Bloody Sunday, Anne was working at Greenhaw Controlled Primary School in Derry which held an innovative, visionary principle of integration for its time. It wasn’t until 1981 that Lagan College in Belfast was established as the first official integrated school formed by the All Children Together Alliance. Anne saw the benefits of this establishment and wanted the same for Derry so with a small, informal group of educators holding the same vision, Oak Grove Primary School was opened in 1991 in Derry. It was not a popular decision locally, but Anne knew in her heart it was the right move. She has always thought of bringing students together to learn as simply common sense. What started out as a student body of 68 quickly doubled to 140 by the close of the first year. They now serve 450 students. This exponential growth may seem indicative of a sharp turn towards integrated education, yet currently only 6% of the entire school age population in Derry are experiencing this type of learning. This is largely due to the fact that outside pressure is still placed on families by churches to attend a school representative of their religion.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoo3lPLbPPVcBhRtRIHDzep4zInrYgffHofrm8X4uxeX-6MAibqR7i2bfLpztbdR_Bzs7FuXRlmMA_kYHyoWliYQUUP5Ty5-yhVXcwaB-YYQqjsNDfyfAyjYFMAGQ8L_lGpQeOKlyACRQ/s1600/DSC00263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoo3lPLbPPVcBhRtRIHDzep4zInrYgffHofrm8X4uxeX-6MAibqR7i2bfLpztbdR_Bzs7FuXRlmMA_kYHyoWliYQUUP5Ty5-yhVXcwaB-YYQqjsNDfyfAyjYFMAGQ8L_lGpQeOKlyACRQ/s1600/DSC00263.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Geographic location plays a large role in the functioning of integrated schools and the diversity of the student body. Ideally, integrated schools aim for at least 40% from each religious background. If there is less than this percentage, people start to act like a minority. It is important to strike this balance so one group does not become afraid or silenced. At Oak Grove Primary, the mix is approximately 47% Catholic and 35% Protestant with the remaining 18% a combination thereof or who claim no religion. The reason the Protestant population is lower is because in Derry, only 18% of the school going population is Protestant. In the North, the Catholic majority still has a hold on schools, whereas in the South things have changed. When the Catholic Church took a battering, their embedded power in the government fell as well as their heavy influence on education. As a result, a large number of integrated schools have recently opened in the South.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">“If we give the children skills to share life together, then I believe they are going to be the ones to move things forward” </span></i></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDL1mhfnFpuVX2yacL8IJzrfjKhJw7NZv1fBfNd-h1B6TdsSLj6g1sa-jtpFUdXTNbSXVymunzhD_fyX4CmCc2RQ6AdZouIh3TxvQZ0ch3wtjRgvXruSYgx-Rv94K_DyfrN3t9QrBUhAo/s1600/DSC00259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDL1mhfnFpuVX2yacL8IJzrfjKhJw7NZv1fBfNd-h1B6TdsSLj6g1sa-jtpFUdXTNbSXVymunzhD_fyX4CmCc2RQ6AdZouIh3TxvQZ0ch3wtjRgvXruSYgx-Rv94K_DyfrN3t9QrBUhAo/s1600/DSC00259.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>The job of educators at integrated schools is increasingly difficult due to the deep-rooted history and biases presented by the people who live in segregated communities. The media also play a vital storytelling role for youth, emphasizing the differing political parties as they hear who their parents are supporting. This categorization automatically separates who is good and who is bad in the child’s mind. Political parties need reminding of their duty to encourage and facilitate integrated learning. Integrated schools have to ensure they are performing at their highest standards in order to best demonstrate the benefits of integrated education, especially when one of their combatants is the division of secondary and grammar schools. When students reach age 11, they take an academic test which ultimately determines whether or not they are gifted. If they pass, many parents will choose the grammar school over continuing down the path of integration due to the appeal of status. Those who stay the course adhere to the mission of integrated schools: “Celebrate Diversity, Learning Together for Life.” Anne explained both parts of this statement by detailing the process of integration. Students don’t simply come together and immediately get along. You have to start where the children are at. The first step upon admission to an integrated school is to address the differing backgrounds of students due to lack of knowledge of the other as well as promoting understanding of what integration truly means. Instead of ignoring differences, holidays and celebrations of both groups are acknowledged and honored. In order to provide educators with strategies for integration, the PDMU (Personal Development and Mutual Understanding) curriculum was established to assist students with the development of language to express their feelings and emotions, treat others with respect, and use statistical data to inform them about issues within their community. Oak Grove even has a program where they train the older children to become playground mediators who help facilitate conflicts with other students.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6iw90CSJmhyFZ80plEODKkL13RnHVNWpDOp9eUaQY5OjGqyxU0WKmdeocybYIjtzTRqttrv47e6jiSzW24em-gzHdCXanZptPicSGLHBIQJSgPQoUjlVA1CoGCEmRd1trDLXJY5bSCo/s1600/DSC00257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6iw90CSJmhyFZ80plEODKkL13RnHVNWpDOp9eUaQY5OjGqyxU0WKmdeocybYIjtzTRqttrv47e6jiSzW24em-gzHdCXanZptPicSGLHBIQJSgPQoUjlVA1CoGCEmRd1trDLXJY5bSCo/s1600/DSC00257.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
It is clear that integrated schools are making a large contribution to the peacebuilding process in Northern Ireland by focusing more on the future. Anne and her staff believe in the process, even when faced with challenges and instead see these obstacles as opportunities for learning. She envisions a time where a tipping point occurs and the youth will demand more. However, school is only part of the wider world children inhabit. Without all stakeholders present including parents, teachers, staff, and the community, efforts are compromised. Ultimately, it is a conscious choice on behalf of the parents to decide what they want for their children. You can either hang onto the past, asking yourself if you are prepared for your children’s lives to be wrecked or you can look to ways life can be lived in a more peaceful way.<br />
<br />
To read more about the PDMU Curriculum:
<a href="http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/docs/key_stages_1_and_2/areas_of_learning/pdmu/PD-Guidance.pdf">http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/docs/key_stages_1_and_2/areas_of_learning/pdmu/PD-Guidance.pdf</a><br />
To visit the Oak Grove Primary website:
<a href="http://oakgroveschool.co.uk/">http://oakgroveschool.co.uk/</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-33756476590691720132014-01-11T08:04:00.006-08:002014-03-01T16:48:30.281-08:00Life experiences shared<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DGhrMj7NCGk/UtEbMO5imqI/AAAAAAAAAC0/PjAJlSYVtiY/s1600/20140104_110535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DGhrMj7NCGk/UtEbMO5imqI/AAAAAAAAAC0/PjAJlSYVtiY/s1600/20140104_110535.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></div>
by <b>Armando Davila</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
With the amount of information to digest and the condensed time to absorb the scenery, the experiences shared by our group have been lasting impressions. Most of us came to this course from all parts of the United States, having never met one another in person, with the expectation to build an intimate bond through this short lived journey. I would take the chance to go out on a limb and say that most of us have experienced things here in Derry that we have never experienced before in our lives. These experiences have now created this internal connection we will carry with ourselves for the rest of our lives. <br />
<br />
In the beginning, we all harbored this curiosity about the unknown. Having only been exposed to mediated versions of Northern Ireland and the troubles they have faced, we all now have a better sense of understanding through the dialogue we have created with the people of Derry. With the days spent exploring the remnants of this multifaceted history that is displayed through the architecture and art written on the walls throughout Northern Ireland, to the deeper tragedies held within the soul of Derry people, we have only scratched the surface of what there is to learn about this beautiful city and beautiful people. <br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SiOq-9od0x0/UtEzAryZHFI/AAAAAAAAADE/R0e_cMWf6x4/s1600/20140103_164010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SiOq-9od0x0/UtEzAryZHFI/AAAAAAAAADE/R0e_cMWf6x4/s1600/20140103_164010.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rcu50wOJEVE/UtEzcSFjCDI/AAAAAAAAADM/Uud398PpNoY/s1600/20140104_111909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rcu50wOJEVE/UtEzcSFjCDI/AAAAAAAAADM/Uud398PpNoY/s1600/20140104_111909.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hWzrUIfiN_g/UtEzfvnUL6I/AAAAAAAAADU/g_pefyYIxrk/s1600/20140108_090402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hWzrUIfiN_g/UtEzfvnUL6I/AAAAAAAAADU/g_pefyYIxrk/s1600/20140108_090402.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(Left: St. Columb's Cathedral, Center: The Diamond War Memorial, Right: Guildhall Square)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now, with only a couple days left, we have all developed this inner love for Derry and the Irish people. Even though we have all experienced different things in different ways, I think we can all agree that this shared experience has created a chapter in our lives that we will share with our friends and family for years to come. It is fascinating how we have all come from different backgrounds with different beliefs and values, and yet have found a common enthusiasm to learn and expand our knowledge on an interesting topic in world history.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our time spent in Derry has been exciting and fun-lived to say the least; however, our mission here has taken us to other parts of Northern Ireland to help us gain a better perspective of how far the Troubles reach. In a one-day excursion we visited the city of Belfast, considered the second largest city in Ireland (Dublin being the first). Given that our experiences in Belfast were short lived, the strong history of the city was displayed in many ways - murals, monuments, and personal stories. Like Derry, Belfast has gone through a devastating past that is still very prevalent in the every day lives of the people who live there. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0v9-aJSsaR4/UtFDVp8Kr2I/AAAAAAAAADk/blHhkxtAjS0/s1600/20140108_120019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0v9-aJSsaR4/UtFDVp8Kr2I/AAAAAAAAADk/blHhkxtAjS0/s1600/20140108_120019.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Multiple murals that tell the history of Belfast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--VoJjiD_7CM/UtFD1ZuuhuI/AAAAAAAAADs/HG8lt5PCBwo/s1600/20140108_124605_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--VoJjiD_7CM/UtFD1ZuuhuI/AAAAAAAAADs/HG8lt5PCBwo/s1600/20140108_124605_edited.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memorial monument located in the unionist community</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RY2FnVpQAdA/UtFEh7FrEAI/AAAAAAAAAD4/-fRjMkHQTMM/s1600/20140108_125336_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RY2FnVpQAdA/UtFEh7FrEAI/AAAAAAAAAD4/-fRjMkHQTMM/s1600/20140108_125336_edited.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A list of all the civilians murdered by the loyalist <br />
and British Froces</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The most interesting thing I found in Belfast was the "Peace Wall". This wall was originally built in 1969 and has since gone through upgrades to raise the height up to over 40 feet tall. From 7 am to 7 pm, gates are open for traffic/access from either communities (nationalists and unionist). However, between the hours of 7 pm and 7 am, the gates are closed to limit the chances of violent engagements between the two communities. It was so hard for me to fathom that less than 15 years ago, people were still engaged in intense battles that fueled the hatred for both communities.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RP7MVCPHezg/UtFGTpzLvEI/AAAAAAAAAEE/bWpmmMe4mJY/s1600/20140108_131311_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RP7MVCPHezg/UtFGTpzLvEI/AAAAAAAAAEE/bWpmmMe4mJY/s1600/20140108_131311_edited.jpg" height="110" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Peace Wall from the nationalist side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ceC5mQiwYVo/UtFGUF-xmMI/AAAAAAAAAEI/_Kd8uZy1HAQ/s1600/20140108_134513_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ceC5mQiwYVo/UtFGUF-xmMI/AAAAAAAAAEI/_Kd8uZy1HAQ/s1600/20140108_134513_edited.jpg" height="206" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the gates that gives access to either community</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The stories shared above are just a few experiences that I have had since I have been on this journey. Every person in our group may have similar experiences, but were felt in a different way than myself. Nonetheless, these experiences have brought us together as a group and will forever be remembered as the journey to a higher purpose of self-fulfillment. </div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-SiOq-9od0x0%2FUtEzAryZHFI%2FAAAAAAAAADE%2FR0e_cMWf6x4%2Fs1600%2F20140103_164010.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SiOq-9od0x0/UtEzAryZHFI/AAAAAAAAADE/R0e_cMWf6x4/s1600/20140103_164010.jpg" -->Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-50437169854368010162014-01-11T06:08:00.000-08:002014-01-11T08:07:52.658-08:00From Personal Narratives to a Shared Future<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<b>by Amy Belisle</b> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ghcnhET7kI/UtE49zkhCCI/AAAAAAAAAE8/YXc2iQmY2j0/s1600/IMG_0280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ghcnhET7kI/UtE49zkhCCI/AAAAAAAAAE8/YXc2iQmY2j0/s1600/IMG_0280.JPG" height="320" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Seamus Farrell speaking</span></span> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whether present in conflict or not, we all carry the baggage
associated with the conflict which defines the reality of our shared future. Seamus Farrell has been working to navigate
how people remember the past in a manner where the past is not perceived as
fact or fiction, but as an individual narrative in order to work towards
conflict resolution. The work Farrell
has done in countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Malawi, Macedonia,
and South Africa has facilitated in his role with The Junction “Towards Understanding and Healing” as a <span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">facilitator
and trainer in the <i>Ethical & Shared
Remembering Project</i></span><i>. </i></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The breadth of experiences Farrell holds helps to focus the
lens around how he assists to manage, mediate and resolve conflict in a manner
where people are left feeling complete and respected. He was born and grew up in Northern Ireland;
however, his original vocation as a Roman Catholic priest sent him on a journey
which challenged and shaped his perspective around the work he does with The
Junction. Farrell spent 25 years in Africa
working initially in community development work; during his time in Africa, his
focus shifted to conflict resolution.
The context of his work in conflict resolution within Africa was around ethnic
diversity, the struggle for resources and the interface between Christianity
and Islam in Northern Nigeria. His work
in Africa culminated with an engagement in South Africa, before Nelson Mandela
was released from prison. The work
Farrell did in South Africa was addressing conflict within the black community
and organizing the leadership within those communities. Farrell’s involvement was at the request of
“church people [leaders]” to assist with the issues of dysfunctional leadership
at local levels within the struggle against Apartheid. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Farrell’s role with the community was to help the members to </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">have a better understanding of their social realities, and in the course of
building up this understanding of their realities he worked with the people to
come to a mutual understanding to begin in the development of democratic
leadership. Farrell’s work was not
without personal consequences, in that he was imprisoned in South Africa for
political reasons. Upon his release and
forced return to Northern Ireland in 1981, he transferred his efforts to the struggles
in Northern Ireland. The experience in South Africa brought Farrell to a
self-awareness and an awareness of the need to operate strategically, not just
to be busy doing good things. In
operating strategically, one could bring about societal impact – bring about
change in reality. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HqafeY2GoDw/UtE4zC9MJWI/AAAAAAAAAEw/nunOO6JK1t4/s1600/IMG_0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HqafeY2GoDw/UtE4zC9MJWI/AAAAAAAAAEw/nunOO6JK1t4/s1600/IMG_0154.JPG" height="320" width="224" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">"The primary victim of conflict is truth."</span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> -Seamus
Farrell</span></i></span></span></i></span> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Through the times of The Troubles, Farrell had a voice which
was heard at various levels and across both sides of the conflict, enabling him
to be an active participant in the peace process within Northern Ireland. The nature of his role does not allow for
complete disclosure, but his efforts were contributory to bringing about key
political arrangements. The work Farrell does with The Junction, in the context
of Ethical and Shared Remembering, focuses on dealing with the sectarian
narrative of the past in order to bring about a change in Northern Ireland’s
reality. Farrell’s role as a facilitator
allows him to work with the people of Northern Ireland who have come to
question the assumptions of their own experiences. The facilitated exploration (i.e.
shared and ethical remembering) of these assumptions uses education to assist
individuals with the many gaps in their understanding through honoring the
diversity of perspectives. </span></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EGhOqAtHDlQ/UtE5Hn_jtpI/AAAAAAAAAFI/FwLiIt5-hnY/s1600/IMG_0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EGhOqAtHDlQ/UtE5Hn_jtpI/AAAAAAAAAFI/FwLiIt5-hnY/s1600/IMG_0281.JPG" height="218" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Farrell interacting with faculty and students from Pacific Lutheran University</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ethical and Shared Remembering calls upon those seeking to
understand their experiences to take a personal journey where they find
themselves being confronted with questions around their assumptions. With
Ethical and Shared Remembering, the effort is not about offering a definitive
account of events, but rather an account that captures the multiplicity of
narratives and perspectives. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></i></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uX3H4Uc8FYw/UtE486NXVMI/AAAAAAAAAE4/_mVAPldQV4A/s1600/IMG_0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uX3H4Uc8FYw/UtE486NXVMI/AAAAAAAAAE4/_mVAPldQV4A/s1600/IMG_0276.JPG" height="400" width="261" /></a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">“We
run the risk of repeating ourselves unless we can begin to come to an
understanding of our multiple narratives and create a future that is
different from the one that was completely overwhelmed by a sectarian version of
what happened.”</span></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> -<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Seamus
Farrell</span></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In reflecting on his experiences as a facilitator, Farrell
characterizes these experiences as incredibly diverse in the context of the
circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Facilitation for Farrell
involves a profound respect for what individuals believe about what happened
and an appreciation for the openness to see and hear another perspective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most fruitful encounters Farrell has
experienced in his work have been with diverse groups (i.e. different
identities), because the encounters have involved various levels of
sharing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Conversely, those encounters
which have been most challenging are those where the individuals are locked
into militarized politics as the way to do things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The justification for these individuals comes
from an absolute belief in their version of what happened and the rightness of
the militarized politics of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Farrell as a facilitator does not seek to challenge identities; rather
he approaches them with a level of sensitivity, and a focus on looking to the
future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With this future oriented
perspective, he honors the individual’s right to believe what they believe;
with the hope they are willing to reciprocate by allowing the “other” to
express their beliefs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--></span></span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-25954605992032251962014-01-11T05:17:00.001-08:002014-03-01T16:48:30.269-08:00Taking It Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kX2huNVFs3A/Ustw7gIPG7I/AAAAAAAAACQ/ypL0l-ZQ6Yc/s1600/Blogger+Profile+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kX2huNVFs3A/Ustw7gIPG7I/AAAAAAAAACQ/ypL0l-ZQ6Yc/s1600/Blogger+Profile+Pic.jpg" height="200" width="170" /></a></div>
by <b>Stephen Miller</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
"Why would you leave sunny California to come to Northern Ireland?" This was one of the first questions I got when chatting with a local Irishman. I didn't have a good answer at the time. Why would someone come to Northern Ireland, specifically Derry? My time in this fascinating culture and intriguing people has lead me to an answer.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PyNJU78uQXY/UtEoiqft_FI/AAAAAAAAADQ/ne7Ckz9qvnU/s1600/IMG_0300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PyNJU78uQXY/UtEoiqft_FI/AAAAAAAAADQ/ne7Ckz9qvnU/s1600/IMG_0300.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mural in remembrance of the "troubles"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
More often than not, at least from a foreign perspective, the focus of discussion about Northern Ireland is their history of violence, conflict, and troubles. Every community is more than a compilation of their past. Past tension, stress, and unrest contributes to and molds this community, but doesn't define it. Derry is not bound by its troubles. Derry, and moreover Northern Ireland, is home to bountiful history, culture, and beauty. The realization of this is something that should be understood globally. James, a former combatant with the Ulster Defense Association, stated that the American perception of Northern Ireland is especially skewed. He asked that we, as students and visitors to his country, share with our families, friends, and colleagues back home our personal experience in Derry. James' opinion and appeal is common. We can communicate to our individual communities the reality, that the land is safe and dedicated to the peace building process, of our experience in Northern Ireland.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RESNTs8_tHM/UtEog7YND0I/AAAAAAAAADI/1SFwp-BbrLk/s1600/IMG_0344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RESNTs8_tHM/UtEog7YND0I/AAAAAAAAADI/1SFwp-BbrLk/s1600/IMG_0344.JPG" height="143" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Former combatants, James and Charlie<br /> sharing their stories.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Why would I visit Derry, Northern Ireland? The answers are immense. I have never spent time with a more welcoming, appreciative, or generous people than those in Derry. It doesn't take much time spent with an Irishman (or woman) to feel as though you've been friends for years. It is a community that is full of beautiful healthy landscapes, the majestic Rive Foyle, historic museums and tours, city walls that have stood the test of time, vibrant architecture, and rich culture. The community is one of a kind.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c5d4o0NyhHI/UtEpJkMFofI/AAAAAAAAADY/ywE-IsTq8Xg/s1600/IMG_0351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c5d4o0NyhHI/UtEpJkMFofI/AAAAAAAAADY/ywE-IsTq8Xg/s1600/IMG_0351.JPG" height="193" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Derry Peace Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-47040234570856314142014-01-11T02:20:00.003-08:002014-03-01T16:48:30.302-08:00"What song do I sing?"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sP04PslO6jk/Us6LpsIH1fI/AAAAAAAAACA/6z5UU1xPI68/s1600/20140104_110535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sP04PslO6jk/Us6LpsIH1fI/AAAAAAAAACA/6z5UU1xPI68/s1600/20140104_110535.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></div>
by <b>Armando Davila</b><br />
<b><br /></b>While the engagements in Derry begin to take on a story of their own, the people we have met have begun to take an interest in what we are here to do<i> - to learn this new culture and understand the troubles these people have endured for many years</i>. It has been a captivating journey to listen to the stories of how each member of this community has been affected by the troubles, whether is has been directly or indirectly, and how they wish for a unified country that shares similar freedoms as we do in America.<br />
<br />
Most of the stories I have heard during our first week here have been based around an older generation that lived through the last 4+ decades of the trials and tribulations. This very same generation has invested a great deal of physical and psychological hardships that have been passed down through storytelling to the newer generation. Although many individuals of the newer generation have not experienced the direct exposure of the troubles, they have to deal with the aftermath that still resonates with the people in Northern Ireland.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XPZTo3t8lOM/UtC-iaS0BqI/AAAAAAAAACQ/_vQJpDG75Uw/s1600/20140103_232457_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XPZTo3t8lOM/UtC-iaS0BqI/AAAAAAAAACQ/_vQJpDG75Uw/s1600/20140103_232457_edited.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A traditional band playing at Peadar O'Donnells.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On a more positive note, one thing that the people of Northern Ireland all have in common, is the love of music. Almost anywhere you go in Derry, whether it is the mall, a restaurant, in a cab, on a tour bus, or in a pub, you will always find the people here listening or playing music. The variety of music is very similar to what you would find back in the states. In fact, they play a lot popular music from the states from all generations and all genres. However, the music played by musicians in the pubs are the exception to the culture: Irish folk music permeates the air and brings people in the pub together.<br />
<br />
Recently, I had the great pleasure of meeting a band comprised of two musicians from a small town between Derry and Belfast. As I engaged in dialogue with one of the musicians, a member of the younger generation, I couldn't help but to notice how they expressed their frustrations with the older generation. "I wish they would just let it go and move on. My parents are those who still hold hatred in their hearts and will not talk to members of the opposite religion. I don't understand because I don't have any problem talking to anyone. I just want to play music and make people happy."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oIuTG6t7Eto/UtEaVYvEgnI/AAAAAAAAACs/wMpAf_GXxhQ/s1600/20140107_011332_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oIuTG6t7Eto/UtEaVYvEgnI/AAAAAAAAACs/wMpAf_GXxhQ/s1600/20140107_011332_edited.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Younger generation dancing at a more modern-day pub.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was very interesting to sit and listen to the passion of this one musician, but I couldn't help to notice what their one main concern was - "What song do I sing?" This was a member of a younger generation that didn't carry the hatred passed down to them from their parents and grandparents, but rather viewed themselves as a healer looking to bring people of their culture together through the joy and passions of one commonality, <i>music.</i><br />
<br />
<i></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/asPDsslZuk8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
Here is a video taken of the band in the first picture.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-84936454606497534582014-01-11T00:35:00.000-08:002014-03-01T16:48:30.386-08:00Irish Beach Boys and the BBC<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">By <b>Katie Hutchens</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6xM4MFYVWDH-DoIh_oa0ubhRA50LApIkPWJ0o1OMsXW0fMxJUYgXBV8d9sMcEi97S-m90uTevdU2eR9Jfdd8-JWSMudeTSUmkjQQCs5y9_FVcdBVSCHfxAJBV8YiLx98ss73m8qEFp4/s1600/IMG_0856+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6xM4MFYVWDH-DoIh_oa0ubhRA50LApIkPWJ0o1OMsXW0fMxJUYgXBV8d9sMcEi97S-m90uTevdU2eR9Jfdd8-JWSMudeTSUmkjQQCs5y9_FVcdBVSCHfxAJBV8YiLx98ss73m8qEFp4/s1600/IMG_0856+(2).JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a>The sounds of The Beach Boys and Nancy Sinatra flow from the studio speakers as Colum Arbuckle of BBC Radio Foyle tours our group around the sound studio. He is careful to point out two very important things. The first is the button on the control panel responsible for turning on the live-to-air microphone. The second is that his radio station broadcasts the news to all listeners in an unbiased manner. </div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg663EWt_CxF9P93DNIbzofbNDsYqig49UIHrxXsIzaK67Rj4hf4XEiGhL_5uHMY1xXqrG8DcWMo-lfRbieNjplK3rSI-uu8pv2pgra6ta4grRzqKklrKgfL1kqzmKcwrpQQEgouosfG4/s1600/IMG_0845.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg663EWt_CxF9P93DNIbzofbNDsYqig49UIHrxXsIzaK67Rj4hf4XEiGhL_5uHMY1xXqrG8DcWMo-lfRbieNjplK3rSI-uu8pv2pgra6ta4grRzqKklrKgfL1kqzmKcwrpQQEgouosfG4/s1600/IMG_0845.PNG" height="200" width="150" /></a>Colum's audience is composed of people from both "traditions", as they say here, as well as outsiders to the area. His team must ensure that every news item, even the most straightforward, contains both sides of the issue (or more, if necessary). All forms of journalism are meant to practice impartiality, but in this city the stakes are much higher, and any perceived bias could spark verbal confrontations or worse, a return to physical fighting. Because "British" is in their BBC title, they must constantly demonstrate to those who identify with the Nationalist tradition that they represent everyone. Colum mentioned that when the station's existance was threatend a few years back, it was this group who fought to keep it open because they knew his station represented a venue where their point of view could be voiced and heard.</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DKgDEHt9OMq3voJsBqQITVsybZMo6VdIsOxHnF7OovS6lK0ETj83f8vpiwSDG0taxJnkb2Cfl_J9MjGSZGA2duuO5qKNEzgHYGA_i2uzYhRaJSunG63iZcwWC3PtESJ5OR5oEOIqmHs/s1600/IMG_0852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DKgDEHt9OMq3voJsBqQITVsybZMo6VdIsOxHnF7OovS6lK0ETj83f8vpiwSDG0taxJnkb2Cfl_J9MjGSZGA2duuO5qKNEzgHYGA_i2uzYhRaJSunG63iZcwWC3PtESJ5OR5oEOIqmHs/s1600/IMG_0852.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The daily delivery of news to the studio</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
I was impressed with the inclusive title of the station. In this area, full of subtle symbols which identify sides and divide, the simplicity of the title seemed genius. The Foyle River flows through the center of the city, so whether you are a resident of the "Waterside" part of town, who may prefer to call the city by it's Protestant Loyalist name, "Londonderry", or if you live on the "Cityside" and identify with the Catholic Nationalist tradition and know the city as "Derry", the river flows between both areas. Most importantly, the name of the river is something all sides agree on and can identify with. In an area that has seen so much violence, something as simple as that must be considered a victory. </div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
As our tour was ending, we were introduced to radio presenter Mark Peterson. His knowledge of the geography of the westcoast of the United States was impressive, especially since the majority of our group lives in Washington, Oregon and California. It turns out Mark is an avid surfer and is working on a future story called "Coldwater California", which focuses on the not so well known Irish surfing beaches. </div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">How great would it be if this area was known in the future solely </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">for it's natural beauty and big waves?</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mQSLTuJb1-08LcKvlx4ssBOPuo55R0XqcjDf3fNh6q6j1BdWZzwKc5Jqb_cpb2xkFjSUFkVglSu0_7eDHLwRQ5JdPXw30XQKhZ4ZSDaHL9v8cg5lX1EoRoG_nTO2MT8f1qfaNJWPQwI/s1600/bbc+surg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mQSLTuJb1-08LcKvlx4ssBOPuo55R0XqcjDf3fNh6q6j1BdWZzwKc5Jqb_cpb2xkFjSUFkVglSu0_7eDHLwRQ5JdPXw30XQKhZ4ZSDaHL9v8cg5lX1EoRoG_nTO2MT8f1qfaNJWPQwI/s1600/bbc+surg.jpg" height="241" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07896909362548340773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-16664993053970495102014-01-10T23:05:00.000-08:002014-03-01T16:48:30.249-08:00Alive, alive-O<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U0HY_-fY7T8/UshvMHXckEI/AAAAAAAAAAQ/KROHNCiRMnA/s1600/maria+head+shot+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U0HY_-fY7T8/UshvMHXckEI/AAAAAAAAAAQ/KROHNCiRMnA/s1600/maria+head+shot+small.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>By <b>Delaney Adams</b></div>
<br />
Each morning I get up, rustle around my room searching for my shoes, running pants, hat, gloves, and sweatshirt, ready to brave the cold and welcome the calm of early morning in Derry. I feel the crisp air hitting my lungs with a jolt, a daily reminder of just how alive I am. I make my way down the road to the river and am greeted with a brightly lit, beautiful structure called the Peace Bridge spanning across the river. It connects not only two pieces of land, but symbolizes bridging together one community’s troubled history with a renewed future that is filled with peace and with people who are alive with a passion for family and friends.
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uvhlsE8rtZE/UtAxh29x7cI/AAAAAAAAABE/cMq0nFQ15F0/s1600/early+morning+derrysmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uvhlsE8rtZE/UtAxh29x7cI/AAAAAAAAABE/cMq0nFQ15F0/s1600/early+morning+derrysmall.jpg" height="128" width="200" /></a><br />
Yesterday morning, during my daily running ritual, “Molly Malone,” a song from my childhood my mother used to sing to me popped in my head. “Alive, alive-O. Crying cockles and mussels, alive, alive-O,” the voice inside my head sang. Alive is an adjective that captures and defines so much of the character of Derry. The people I have met and talked with in Northern Ireland fully embrace being alive: by simply distinguishing between living versus dying; by focusing on what is important - family and friends - and valuing and protecting each moment with them; and by their genuine zest for laughter, food, and drink.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M3-rKlMxNTA/UtAxwlxyLEI/AAAAAAAAABM/3KpTZBHwq6E/s1600/early+morning+bridge+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M3-rKlMxNTA/UtAxwlxyLEI/AAAAAAAAABM/3KpTZBHwq6E/s1600/early+morning+bridge+small.jpg" height="123" width="200" /></a>Each day in Derry begins quiet and serene, by midday the streets are bustling with people, Protestants and Catholics alike, shopping, going to and from work, and taking their children to school. Theirs is a story of shared grief, shared life, and a shared story of trying to move forward without violence but with mutual understanding. Hope is alive here. Hope for a continued end to the violence that was once an every day occurrence. The violence is part of their history and the story is kept alive as a reminder to never go back, and always continue to move forward; always strive for peace and being “alive, alive-o.”
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-83124596367906809952014-01-10T15:18:00.000-08:002014-03-01T16:48:30.376-08:00BBC Radio Foyle<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<img align="left" height="163" hspace="12" src="data:image/png;base64,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" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_6" width="168" /></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kathryn Vernon</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BBC Radio Foyle was a good fifteen minute walk away from our
hotel in Derry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It was a</span> great way to start the
day and to begin a session on good, even-handed journalism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the UK, television and radio stations are
supported by licenses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If one has a
radio or television, they must buy a license – because there are no commercials
on British radio and television – quite a different model from our American
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Affiliated with the
British Broadcasting Corporation, Radio Foyle has been in existence for some
time (I couldn’t find a start date on their website).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were a main source of information for
Derry residents during the time of the Troubles, even letting the citizens of
this fair city know where the firefights were so they could stay away. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During this time, the stories came to them.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="data:image/png;base64,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" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img align="left" border="0" height="230" hspace="12" src="data:image/png;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQEAYABgAAD/2wBDAAoHBwkHBgoJCAkLCwoMDxkQDw4ODx4WFxIZJCAmJSMgIyIoLTkwKCo2KyIjMkQyNjs9QEBAJjBGS0U+Sjk/QD3/2wBDAQsLCw8NDx0QEB09KSMpPT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT3/wAARCADmATMDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAHwAAAQUBAQEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQFBgcICQoL/8QAtRAAAgEDAwIEAwUFBAQAAAF9AQIDAAQRBRIhMUEGE1FhByJxFDKBkaEII0KxwRVS0fAkM2JyggkKFhcYGRolJicoKSo0NTY3ODk6Q0RFRkdISUpTVFVWV1hZWmNkZWZnaGlqc3R1dnd4eXqDhIWGh4iJipKTlJWWl5iZmqKjpKWmp6ipqrKztLW2t7i5usLDxMXGx8jJytLT1NXW19jZ2uHi4+Tl5ufo6erx8vP09fb3+Pn6/8QAHwEAAwEBAQEBAQEBAQAAAAAAAAECAwQFBgcICQoL/8QAtREAAgECBAQDBAcFBAQAAQJ3AAECAxEEBSExBhJBUQdhcRMiMoEIFEKRobHBCSMzUvAVYnLRChYkNOEl8RcYGRomJygpKjU2Nzg5OkNERUZHSElKU1RVVldYWVpjZGVmZ2hpanN0dXZ3eHl6goOEhYaHiImKkpOUlZaXmJmaoqOkpaanqKmqsrO0tba3uLm6wsPExcbHyMnK0tPU1dbX2Nna4uPk5ebn6Onq8vP09fb3+Pn6/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwDgE8QbosliHHUVZtfEp42vn2rnLmJVQMgwGUEVVBIrJQTRXMejWviCKTAdsE1pxXaTDKSivKo7qRMYYn61fttYkjPDspqXTfQamenKxx98/lSMrB0mjcrNGwdHU4II9DXHWXiaRcbzuFbdtr8E4GWANQ00VdM6aPWryUhzcMHHbavH6VJJqt5MmyS4Zl9Co/wrDFwsmHjYbv51NHcBx6EdR6U+eXcXKuxq/wBo3W0L9obA6DA/wqNLmaL/AFczL9AP8KpCWl8ylzy7hyrsXRdziTzPO+b1KKf6VTZRFdGXP+sJ3Ecck5pvm470yRw6Ebh+dS5N7lJJbFsn3NGf9o1ShulkQHcMjg896f5w/vD86Qyx/wACNIcn+M1B5w9R+dHmg9xSGSPkKTvPA9qgRS0IwzL9MUssg8pzkfdPepLZA8SfMOQO9K4FRrZ92RO+foP8KnQSBceY59zir6aakwwblY/frWbd6E+5ZXRiQxRZFl4OO5APT60KSYxDC7HJmb6YH+FSLGVH3z+QpvlGEANIGx3zUM1yFwisu5vfoKrQRID5knJJVTxn1qXP+0aqiRVGAy/nQZx/eX86ALO73NG73NVfOH94fnTWuFHV1496YXLRf/aqPcZDwx2fzqsJ0l5Lrs9M9af9ojH8a/mKYi0OAADxRn3qr9pQfxr/AN9Cj7VH/fX/AL6FMVyzn3prPtGS9UzfxkkI6E9zu4FKLiMcmRSfXcKYE5DSghnZVPYcE1LA32aNI4liCr6xglvqepqn9rj/AL6/nTTeR/31/wC+qpNrYlq+5q3Op3F1t8xo8L0VI9o/SpG1e4KBVWOMA8+XuXP61hNqEWcB1J9jTftisOZFA9AapVJdyeSJ0L+IpwAEREOMfu3YE/jmop9fu3Ci2JtcDDMkhZ2/4Een4Vhfa4wOHX86je+Qfxj86bqS7i5Il5iGYs6hmPJZuSfqaKyW1a3ViGmQEf7QoqbMo4hSzIQSSB0ppGBUkf3D9aSStTMip6DNNqQcChgIWKHg4oDse5H0NMbk0q0gLMJd2AFxIufQmri28omRTczEODzuI6VRtATcLWywxNbn/aI/Spe5SbGCwY/8vNx/33S/2cx/5eZ/++6vhc04KKluw9TO/s0/8/E//fVL/ZWf+Xmf/vqtIL7U7bScmGpzN0JLe6eFZXIXHJNRh5/+ejfnVrVVxqjD1QVAFq1tqJzaY3zJ/wDnofzNKDcH/lofzNP2+1SKnNGgvaSIsXG0nzTge5qVIbpgCJjz7mpCn7tvoat2ygxIfVRUyasCqSKohvR0nP8A30af5NwT89w+MdcmtAKKRgMVlzD9rLuZMsEm04lbdnj0xVUrLyN549615VHNUinzv9a0ixe0kyniX++fzpQJP75/OrGzk0hTFWHOyD95/eNMO/ON5qxtqNh84HtQLnZCd+PvGjDf3qkxSYphzsZhv71SQwNMJPmxsQv9cUYqzYrlbr/rg39Kb2BSbY5dPjZFJ3cj1pf7Pi9W/OrqL+6X6ClK1Kvcoo/YI/VvzqN7JFQkFunrWgRUco/dt9KYFIWaFQctyPWkNmg/ib86uIPkX6UhFAFM2q4+8351DNCEQkMfzq83pVW5/wBWaeoinRRRVgTJ/q+fWmucmpkCBTubB7DFRbCT2P0NSIYOtOYjFN2kHkEU4odpIGQKAI+pqQCmKuam28UAT6eu64rYmGGtz6SD+RrP0iIvKSBWtdQlUibHSVf51D3KJlFPA9qnW3PpTxbGpa0HcgApQParH2c+lL5BFKwHL6yMaopx1jH8zVYVf8Qx7NRhz3j/AK1SUd6voZy3FAqRRTQKeKRI9iFjYk4GK6/RvC1tdaZaTNczDzYlYgAcZFcNdnoO2K9L8NTA+HtP56QqDWNe6jdG1JJvUmsvBuk3F1Hby6jPFJI21VIXnnHpVWfQPDq3NzDFqVzJ9mOJT8o2c4549q0438jUorqKMSzx/MikcL7k+1J/Z0817culrE0kzAyJGT82ecCuZN9zbkj2Oal03QUsjeG5uPsxICOSMtn2xWR4i0u20qW3FuzkTKWJY56Y6V6baeDx9kMd6iQwt/yykXJ/+tUGqeAbDV2Uvcv+5BESK3OD/PpW8E76kSiraHkLCmmug8Q+F59Gkdly8APBP3l+tc8a6Uc7VhrYqF+ZB9KlYc1Ew/eD6VQIKTFLijFADTVqw/1V4fS3b+YqtirdiMQ33/Xs38xQ9hrc0EQ+Wn0FKUPpWpb2BMEfHVRUv9nZ7UrMq5hlDioZlIif6Gt9tOx2qneWRW2kJHRTTURXMtR+7X6U01oi0xGvHaoJLciiwXKTCql3/qq0HjxVK8XER+tNBcz6KKKYE7CoyKs3MflTyJ/dYr+RqAjnNIQ0Ow4yavQZaIMGIPqDiqTDBNaFku6AGhjQ6WNrqXzZnLPgDOAOB9KY9mx5Q5q4qDtzWhZafLcuMDavc0rsew3w/YN5Ts64OcYNauoWu2wZv7rI3/jwrStLFYIwiA4pdVtt2i3gx/yxY/kM07XJuItr14qUW4x0oi8Paa6K32OI7gD3/wAalHhzTf8Anyh/I07C5iL7MKaberP/AAjumj/lxg/75o/4R/Th/wAuMH/fFS4oOY4vxbFsvrI/3kYfrWUErovGOm21mLB7eCOLdIynauM8CsbyuKVhSZBtoxUxjxTCuKGhXK10Old74Ylz4csvZCP1NcJcLwK7LwqxPh229iw/8eNZ1leJtSep0unSK6b+cljuPYgcYNdX4UhMVldXUgJkLbEyc/IP/rn9K8+hvPsE7JKCYi25SP4TXofh27jbQI5hIpjLPhs8HB/xrnhC0jZvQt6pKzRgMVD46AdK5S4u5IpiyMwZavXmuWyrI7SCZ04YI4wnsTnrXI3niiPyJZ1QEDj19PT61fLJs6YciWpcu9Q/tQyJcxruIx7GvNb2IRXk0a9FcgV1Ta9BJIsiwFCvLEvkn8MVzOqIyalOG6lifwPIraCa3OKtboUjUbD96v0qbGKaU/fL7g1rYwuN25pQntU6xVKseT0ppEtlYRZqzbR7be/P/Tsf/QlqVIc1PFA5tr4IjMTbkAAZz8y1MtEODuzo4ZLryowulznCj/lpGO31qXffEcaU/wCNwlb8Foxhj+Rvujt7VYFo5GNhp88F1L5ZPocsft5/5hg/G5X/AAqpfremzm32MaLsOT54OBj6V2ElttOGAyKztVhA0y5/65mqVnqiXdaGM9niNQB2FUprPjpXTSW/HAqlNb+1OwXOWntivasbU0KxD612Vxb5zkVzWvw+XAp9XpWKTOfoqwtjOygheDRRoBoa5D5OtXqdAJm/nWYwro/GMHleJLvA4Yq/5qK516TBDW6mtHTUMkWAOhrPI5P0rofCtuJ1mJ/hYfyo3HsaGn6WZCC44ro7a2WNQqjFJBCEAxV6KOmo2IbuLFF0p15B5mnXKEfehcf+OmrEacVNs3qV7EEUxXKumDzNMtH67oUP/jorQhiRm/eBtv8AsnBqjoAzoVj6iFR+XH9K08YFYYmThTbW5dJKU0mTpZWDgZuLiM+8YI/Q1HcWml27BZdYgjYjIEi4J/Whe1cB8SH/AOJharnpF/WvMw+IrVJqDkdk6MIq9jf8TeHbTW7a2W01zTQ8Mu/945AIxjHeuduPCt7CPke0nA7w3KN+mQa40u/94/nTN7/3m/OvQUaq+1+BzSjB9DduraS1fZOhjb0aqrFfUfnU+n2mnXOnJJqF5JFIGYACHfxn1zVhtL0JVDG9uiD0ItRWnNcn2SXUx59pH3h+ddN4WvbWHQUSa5hjZZH4dwD1qn/Ymj4B829IIyP3SjioZdJ0VOT9uP4KP6UNcy2KjHl6m7capprrhry3/wC+xXX+EWR/DUVrdRKbVlllhfJ/fFnYj8sV5VJaaPF/yzvDn3H+FeqeAdRtb3wpHaxI7SWEzBUcZIU4IbP4mpcbbGsWm7Mg1a2isEd0SPaR86uoyffNYYv9Nj8P3KtbSKbgFEJXgjPXd7nnH0ra8Swm7hlQsQW6YrE1SG5XTzBNJEqIvywxJwoHqSOTWak3udjSS91HOwSRNEoOWfOCWrI1K7SbUJnDFgW4OKvwQzLJmUfePynGKszxWkK7jp0LknklzzWiepy1kmjnxMno3/fJoEmZlYI5AB7VsG6tk5GkWv4saT+0o14XSLH8VJrS7Oa0Sgk/P+pk/IVIJzn/AFLfiyj+tW01nO4f2fpsWAeTDmlGuSxGBVt7FUZc7mt1Jouw9nG1zR0m60Ow8u41WRnlI3LbhMqPTJ7/AErfk+JemJxEkuB02xgV57rU7XU8M8iqrSR9FUKOCR0FZ1YToqo7yZvCp7NWij0eT4l2xPy28zfVgKtaP4yOtXEkEVuYdq7txbJry+un8B/8heUesR/nWVXDwjBtFwqylKzPSbdN0PPrVXVo86XcgDJKYAFX7UfuiPeuN8fXF1aXVhLEzqgyyFTgBwefxxiurDu1JM5qivUZ00iDmqc0fWrNhIZtPgkLq+5AcqCO3uTRKvWuhGWxjzxZHSsHVtLbUZba2VxHvckuRnACk9O9dTKnWq1xPYafp0tzMx+37gtuAoOxT99ueOmQKmbsrl0480kmPtfBXhq6tYph4mltd6jMMqIzKe+T+v40Vk/bRc4lhkIjIwgyBwOBx+FFcvPM7PZQLHivwxf6pq5nsYkkQxqCfOQcj6mudk8Ba8T8tmn/AH/j/wDiq7MoBkgA/hTZ71LE2Stp892LuXyy8RwI+cYHBy3fB7YrobTONROM/wCEB8Q7ifsKY/6+I/8A4qtrw34Y1XSEu5L+3WKIhWDech6Z9D710TgI7LgEKSMjvVXUZhBp80oA/druz9KHKy0Gld2J4kzzVuNaxtH8SadeFYr2ZYyRhZc4K+x9RW5P5dnCsxnSaBjtV4wWOfcLms6ddS0ejHOi46rUmQfnU8Yww+tZqatbdvPP0t5P/iamXVYcjEV2fpayf4VuYsPDy40iND/yzeRPykYVpyfdH1rN0B91rc4V1Au5sB1KkAtnofrWhcswgbZndg7ceuOK5sXrSZrR+NDo3VwdjK207Wwc4Poa87+IzZ1iBc9IR/M1d8KanNJ4me227EMJEgOfvDuc98k/nWd8RGzryD0hX+tcFGl7LEct+h2TnzU7nJk00040w16ZyG3bKRoqfQn9TT7Z3cBdxKqpOPep7K2tX0uAyzujFMlQmRUEhSFWEAbB4y3+Fc8JLmZUloXIbv7RPgqcgDio7xXDHerAH1qSyuUtkD7cSSDlvaul8N+EL/xYROG+z2IODO6/e9lHf+Vda2M0cLIDIVRVLMTgADJP0r1H4beEdbtFkubwtZWk5XMLr+8kA5yQfujtzyc9q7bQvCOjeG8NaWwa5xg3Eo3Ofx7fhW08nccGhItI8/8AFmiXFpKZ4MmBXDK2MhfY1h6nr9nHvLxqrvyQUyD9DXqkzCXIIBJGCrDII9PcV5R480C0tr9RpO9JGiM0lux+QDP8HfPB4rOVO2qOqE3LRnPXt+t/KoiUDYp8tQuM1RlNxsAeBl9ytJpQDzyyzHbGmFB7sTzge9dTFM80SrcgPkYyOCPoazs9yakOY4zCvksvJ4xUc8JjAcgADjFb2o6UbaRnllMsLn925HI9j71kSWzOrqFcr2PrW6aaOGScXZmWxy5HY8mobwFY4h0wO1Wmi2mbj7gC1TnLzzKigk52j61EdWX0H3srz2lpLKSzfOuT6AjH86pCrt1k6dEMEeXMyYPbgVSFC0NGLXSeBXCa45Iz+6Y4+lc3W/4MbbrZ94X/AJVnW/hsqn8SPQPC+tjWLS6lIKiOTkkYHOf5VleLo7e/0WW9huVkkglG6HPMYHB4985qXwJbtDDfBXbb5wXAPQ7Qcj8z+lRXOqTiyv7C7USGQMpyMHnjJ9+lOUrQXKOEVKUrkPhfUDHo8RmdRGkphzn8Rn8K1ptTYOVXTtQfHG5YlwfoS1cb4en3W2oWZXexh8+NfV4+v/jpP5V2um3IvNMhlz1XkelaU73Zzt3KUmoTt00q9/4EYx/7NXO6w8t9clREyMq7fLJBIP4cV2TrkVwWqanJp2u3CMvzLJuD9sHkVVRNrQqk0m7mbHK6IFDYA7UVvf8ACU2w+7HFj3QUVXKTd9zr7ewlkjSS4ktLVHG4Ca7G7H+6oJrSs9Jku5zb6VdSOzrliokSM49SQM1o2fgKzs4Vjjnuo41B4RgvU5JzjOa0bVdK8PKwW9SMn7xluC7H8zmvNeM10R1eyRiy+CNXjcqj2LKOhM7Ln8NtVLzwTq89rJBI1iqSKVYrMxIH/fNbV5430eJiVnlnb0iTj8zWNefEZIwfIsAF/vXEuP0FJ15y+FAqdtzOh+Gs6RonnWEIHVlg8xz+JwK3NP8AAEVrhn1C8c9fkCRD9Af51yd78Trs5EdzDF7W8W4/mc1jS+L77UxLuubqRkQsA78H2wKjkry3NLxXU9dkt9Hs1Au5oAQOS8pLH681n3XiDwraKTgykf3N2PzJFeKS6xfzk4cR5/uj+tU5PMmJaZ3lP+0c1vGjU6yMnKn2PU7v4h+HrIyfYrBCzsXYmRm+b1wOO3rWvb3BvrCKcp5ZmXdsHbNeOW6QpzICB/eC52/hXqnhV1fQLFFbcoQ4bGCfmI6Uq8OSk9Wwg05LSxyfgc41+XPJMR5P1FVviAc+IiPSNan8JjyvFUqe0i/k1UvHrZ8Syj0Rf5VMV/tXyKf8L5nO0w9aM00mu45zpbOeMWca7IiVUAli3PFW0QvG0YEeCDkheayrR12OvlgkHqSa6S1jcZO0KMelYKNmKUi74O8JN4j1FPPylhbKPOcHk+ij3P6CvaQsdnbJDboscUahVVRgKB6Vzvgmy/s7wpaIww8+Z2455PH6YrRgvS8s0bnO1jj6V2whdDirF4sGXOOvek5Awfzpg+YAoeD1FLnAwaqxZBdAlcqcMOlcZ4ms7jU9RtLuIRq8CFWB/wCWnOa7WU5GKxb6MBuRwatRUlZjUnF3R53Npbi6jhWEK0StIygdz3/lUsEMioqsPmHFdFcRSwzSSRJvd1257gVFHZYiAIBbvWTo2NPa3MueAz2bxHuvGfXtWFDbmNiMgEA5B5/Suue3wMVyGsW0xmnS3ALvwMnHWsuVowrpOzMExbtFkuWBEkkhOD9aoabcLY3Ek0o3EK0Y9ieCfriprp7w7YJcKU4Cjqfc1HFpd1cJst7aaY4DYjQscHucVKaQnF9CGTEmmSsucLcA8+6n/CqFb0OkXUdtJaXcUtq9xInkmaJwHYZyBx15p3/CFaqVZlhbC4zuhkX+a1HOrvU05HZGAOtbfhFsa6vvG/8AKrJ+H2vjB+yZBGRgk5Hr06VpaB4N1rTdVhubiykMRVhlFLZyPYVNSScGrjhFqSbMnVbueOxeC1uXjD3DNIiNjcNqAE4/GovDckMdzKb+eRI3Xl+Tgit/TfBms3cktzLYYi8xkbIBO5eox1p6+CNTu9S32M9rGicMs0vlBD6Y6nP0rrVBex5m0Y8z59Ec/ZXsNj4iivIg4tknyVfqY24bP4E1qveS6Rqs0CtgwyFPZh2/MVZ8R+D9Ts7/AE9bu2jRr4m3Qo6lGftz75qobS61JjcTW5MsGLe4VWAKvGNpyM5yQK0hBKSSehjN2fMzrIp1uLdJV+64zXJeMI43urYMoJ2Htz1roNIATT1QAYUnGDnFZWuWEuoalEIyiokfLMfUmipBwlZivdXRyn2KH0P50V0y+GvlH+lr+CGioC0h914nnvc7rm8uye3IH58Cs2a+n/htliP96RyT+Qqkbm8Y4AWEdsnB/LrSzpqNlGkyNIWl5Bx2/nWCowj0Ox1JMjm1Gctta7IJ7R8UPp8piE0pyGGQWbJNIbzUZlC3E4K/3SAa24fEJi0+GFVUvGgXlB2ptWWiJu3uZVlYRzWDTspLqxGM8VFZR4a8wSGWF9v4GrVleXaQvaQ4xPKfqSe1TQ6bc2t06XEMkYZXTcynaTtPfpSewLcqazapBNGlqCivEj8nOSRzVN7iTy44pvLymdpVACc+pHWtLU7hJmt94aNoYFidW4JYe1ZjuhP7sY9yc0OSQcrYqn1r1HwgkkujWZghfARhhVJ5Df8A168qjy0nPU17V4GkvT4ARdNmxcQzsTGACXXAyOeh7/hWU6nLqPlOT8OaLdv41vVEEweIyMF2Yz82O/1q14i+G2s6vrMt3utreFsYM0oB4HpW5JPe3V2z/Zblp8bWdIWBPrkgVG/h/V7tsppUpz3kAH8yKnkvPnVrj5ny8vQ5c/C1YoXe58QaarKpIRZAST6da5b+yQk6oInkTjfJg/L6/LkZxXqH/CKzWoZ9WRLZDwpWSPJPfOTVTVPDumROrf8ACRaXaR7eRLcK75+igVavezYbK9jjI9Bljg86K48wOT8pjKEfgTWxp4mmvLa1kJDzyLGMjPJOKeJPD0Ussd14pd416G0tS27+dbfg2Pwzfa8p0m51e6uLNfP3XCqka9hkYz1NVBXZEoI9L3BDsRQI0G1MdgOBWCl2Rq9wrbVSPBznk5rddQsQPfHWuMv+daZd21ZCu4+wNejTQjqxc7ZCBwRxUyy7xnPesGxu21H99F8yMxVSO+K1p7uy08LDcXCiYjPljlvypSSGiw3I61n3q7lPqKP7TiYfJux71Tur0EZzxQk0MrMy8k01Npqq1wGY80GTA71QBeSKFZQornLt4rVw4toLl2+TZK2Ng9evv19q0ry7EfLVVub2Owe2kmhmkZ49yW6QA789y3/6q5K0+R6Gqp+0jZnHtawzazBayMLaBGLPcO28Ack9+TjGK7XwpZpY20xjuYpnnkJVi4UlB93j6c/jWDrrtrkEtl9jgtJCylcbc5z3I9jVDWdNX7Bb20srRtDGoaVRngZzx1rhqp1Uo7GsZeybaPQNT0qPWLNre7eMrkMpDjKkd89vwrFfwXc+Swh1i4jJIAZ7kuPpgmvPV0mzJG7Vm5HeNqvW2jaZ5JjHiZozJjdH9mkOSOnOaFhnFWUiXiLu9juG+Hl95iPb6u1rIoxlZSf5mrCeDdetgHHi541B68f415zNpFvbxGW41C5255Oxs/zqqlzaRf6nUrwD/rjn+tUqUltIiVVzeqPoLS7KWx0y3tZJUmkiQK0rNgue5wKwfEmh22oyi6iubW11GD7sok6+zDvXjpvfOIT+3b0Z+UAxN/8AFVt6Ro81rfCSW4luQNpyEbAOepJNROjye+nqOMrvlsT+ItS8RXrWVvfeZK1l+9t0gAYEA8uxHORVaHVnh086ha3SyXj3is42DhmR8gjvyT1rIS/trHxDfTXUck+93XbG20g7vUj2q9AivbzTaeJYxchZ/mA/dyIzL1HqCfxNdSd4q5zVbLRljQNTxPdfagUndwGBGMfhVHxFrLtfhIW/dp0KnBz9azNX+3WFyJZpC63amRGcEMRkjkHkHis83PmREOuXJ4NbuaklYzhBR2NldWuNoxJNj/rof8aKxF8zA5oqLl3PS7HSLRkDCAp6j1/Gs/X4xC0aL90Zx9OKyIVutpC391DMOgY5Bptzql7doLa/w/l5Ilxg4x0raTRdym4VXznJzn6VZ0s2s08/2oMERMKVOME96gGW4RMDjk1NBctYyNJC2JCuw4HODWMtRHQIbLS7GxI8nUrUMTmVQrK/cgd8ZqoNbN5cNYRzl7MykqjjlBz0rLghnun2qhOOgH9a2rHRUt8SzHMi8gDoDUOyRSu2cdLIxncOckEjNKvSuvstIsGia5ZY3ZmO4k5CnPI/OsjW57UZgs0QnPzOo4/Cs2jRGZD/AKxR616L4T1VbTRfs0QkS6klYrKrYAXHT8xXCaJol9rN6IbQL8oyzucKg9Sa7bTtIexe2xKsqq+GdQQrHvtz1HvXLiJLl5TalHXmexL4x1bV7PU7a3tdXljint43xIeSzEg446VmnTvEl6NtxqepOoGMB2AA/FqseMbeWS80rVNYtWXSolW2R7ecCWTGWBA/h6d/Sub1fW4dRuM2cepRxABdkt68pY+p+vpXVThFRTSOacnezNOXwwkS+ZqNxKcj5fMnHP51Tk0vRLbBN+gbHIVxx+VYzWzSk+TaO4Ksdzg5+UfN37VX8tLgqke2I4zkHjAH/wCuuqlOML3in6mck31NprvSLbCqEnGDz8zc5468dK9S+EFtaXGmajqCQoiPMIQfLC5CjP8ANq8csNLt7vUbe1mvPKSWQRtLgFY8n7x56fjXp+kaBb3CQaPbak8ukWEZlmuLZ9vnSMcnOO/Qd+BSTUpaaDSPQdTvltwyxyQqo4HzjNcPeTLJe71bfg84qSXwPa3czMqzWUbPsRIpiSR/eckkDt7k1q6b8PbK2xi81GQ7txMkvG30xjv69a6oyUEM5yx1fUINPSxsE+ziItG9y5GQc5O0evSrVqotYyI4Wkkc5eaUks59Sa7Gw8KW1ijrHPM4kcu/nNvyT6ccVK/hm1ZsrK6H0HIp+0gBx6tN3JXPpT5PMZct0+tdGmlWaTZZjIqsVCtwGI9az7++lgLJbLYqwPRmwB+hrlqYqKdlqbxp3RiDINTO52AfmagW5muZpGujbiVjkLA2VA7c1LjIxW0Zc0eYykrOxiau+2FjntWPpmsRGxla7itnlhcpuuHkLN3GMce2K1dZTdCVHrXISQLHeTPM0Sx55/ejP4qOa560eYuM+UtR6mkmoCU28UDPMmBH05YDFdldaHLqd7P5UgjMbHJP1P8AjXmv2hbjWIHjQJEJUCqOwBFemawxS+yFfG47mVypHP61yzXLJWHzcyZh3nhPUbeSR/tluIlPV8jH1rRsbO8s7JYJtNsLmRNw812IJz0/h7Zpnk3FxbrcAzRxRzYIaUkk4OO/pzU4ndcjzbg8ZyJG4+vNU25IytYxG8NapKhS4+yuD2wSDUB8JXmTiy08/hiulW6cYHm3I47u3H69KUX0nGLi5Gf9o9f8Kd5DSOW/4RK+8zcNPsc9sSEY9+tb9lpF/pse2cqqORuCNncAe/51ba6uEUEXc/OO68dPX606Oe4nkTzLmR1P8LY9/Qe1ZVpNRsy6bXMmjyy8XdqV0396V/8A0I1qRSR2umWq3Ej7CfNVVB/vH/Cs+RN73Uu5QI5DlSeWyx6Dv71panYXjaLZTwROIGtV3OBx95j1/EVqoKSSZhVhzFme8s5rlprqNZIpoyGVxwD1GPTkfrXKSon2kiJCqjHB9a1LiyWxMfmXguWaJWH2ZCyofQ5xyKWCDU53O3SDcgn7zWrZP4jBrosmtCI2Rm5A9KK3D4e1Nzu/4Rq459JHH6ZoqfkPTuMdlj5nlMjA8pG3AP17fhUZuGk3BNoQdQO/9TVnT9IuNQBYIFgPBmk4A+nr+FXm0cRTrHatuUqN0zDnPsO1TfubWMlVklIABXPYda07PQyx3znaPQdTWxb6bHaRZCZbux61KBzU8w+UbDBHAgWJQo9qdNGzx4RyhyDkenpThSSSLDE0jnCL1OKhsaRx97Mbee5hfPltKWWMHqfUirOl6MdZusWyNFbp/rJXOcfT39qnTQxf61O8jbIQcs2eT7Cuts4YzAsFugjtY8AovVqwlNyfLDc1SUVzT2M3VLqLQNJiTTrYCBn2NIfvP3OT155rp2VJoI2iGUwGXHoelZGv2f2vQrqMLlox5ij/AHf/AK2an8LeILeXw5bQHP2mJTE3HUDgc/TFZ1sOoR/MmjXdV3aIfEUeo6rp9ppsUdosFvIJRK5JJIzxjpj5j+Vc9D4a+z+YkmrpGMCRxHjjZyD68Vq+KtOuNRW2W23EqW3AMQMY4zWXpnhm7trlpJmiVHieMqOvzKR/hXXSd4JmdRWkyCSHQI2zc6jdXTliTt3EEnqfTnvWu3h/TbIBxaIwJ4yc1Rg8FwYHnXDyEf3BW7d3cNlD++dV2AZLuBx06etX6EDtPsLSW1mItkV0BK4HTg1PYXklklxBAwVZimEHrzyPx2/gKx4/GGm2pdmmDMyhdiAsc9+elZlx4nhkdfskNwzA8YIBP5A+tZQ9pGbfTSw29NDvtJ1hBLczzBo7aC5EdvEPu/KuAT+JLZ9a7KS7+1RxxxdSQWOeoryfRGutWtX+2W0sccEu5oIj87jvkdf0rX1bUdSs79J7ZGW2CeZGGfkL74PUV2xrQk7Pcbi7XPQpNTCsCysojUl/anR6gsrAqflNeV3fja4nhURrGpBJkbzCQ/sai/4TuSH/AFTRMSMHg4z7c1p7pOp09rriSwzq7nfHczIeeR85x+hrhfEF9HZ3ssNsskJbklZDk/WsbUL+eTULi6tZ3UTNuZRkDNUyWlYvIxZj1JrjdH3mzf2vu2NHS9VltZgwY4z3PWu7tNSS5hWRTzXmqjB4rc0q7eFdpPFdMHZWMW7m9ePvJDHJJqeDwVoWpRC4mW5a4cbpFjuBwfpjis0yl5FJ78113hPwwLp7rUbbVJLWWfaskQjVg20cHn61nWvb3dylbqYjeANEjdHjS/VkYMP3wPT/AIDVPxJrtjZamsV0ZhJ/rMImRgk9ea9COjXkZeWTVFdFzlUgA6e+a5zWILafVBBIsZ2wGWQH0B7/AJmvPhUnKaUkayjGMfdZyUHjLSksWtfNk2tL5m9ojke3FPTxRpGH23YHmLt+ZGGOc+lacOl2d3NbiSGJmuozIQQDkAAg/rTofDWmX9ss72kRLdwAOhx247V0rlMHcpp4l0pt5NxGN8QjXORjpz09qemvaYWU/a4CBH5f3wOfX6U7/hHNPMasIyo83yCBxjkgdDgduajm8MWHlz+Z5m2JgjjLfdOMHryeevA46U7oNRLy7tbm08uO8t9wGM+YPQVpWM0MksapLGzDqFYH1qpD8PLKeVUE9whbOOc8+lXtF+H1ppmpwXq3M5+YrggYz9ayrxU4jpq0keWyxkvcuOglOfzNejaXY3kGkeHbhVaS1lMIkRlyoywAPPH41FL8IdRlkle31CBlZi2GRh1P416BpumXeleH9PsWRHa3REfGccHk01U0VinHXUwU8GX0suo3WmS2VsZ7hPJRotypGgwRjpz1/CumaDToLIy3c0cSxrly+75QPfNV3j2C4VdYu4FdR8jw5S3PqBjnJ9atssgaVIdXtgnkjy45Ifunn5j6jpxXTzIxcfIrNpmnsSy38YB5A3H/AAoq4sMzIpN7YsxAyyquCe+OKKV0LkXY8n8t3wHJ6cIvp/SrdtbFAcgDA5PZfxp8TxW8ZkbksOPU1E8hkUDt6CskdBIPnRgh+Xu3rVcD5qs2xUb1PJPf0qDHzCl1AUDmnYAUk9KUAKCTWJ4g8QLpimCHDXjDhOojHq3v6D86W7sg8zYtYkluGjUKZAN7DpgdiT6VrWkYVi24uWGCVHy8fzrkfCNzFHdF7uXzBNFukkkPCHrgn8K0dW8aRRAw6Ygkbp5jD5R9BW1LlhCy3MqnNOXkbl3eW1gjyXcgSMjBz39q4Xw1OY9bMEDFoX3EcYz6Vm3VzPfTNLdSs7+/+eK9C+FnhOWS8bVry2mWHYUhZmCq2eCcdT+grCtaSaKpx5HoUPEPiFtJlhhWzaeSRN33iAMcdqxTrviK/P8AolkkI7FY8kfia9iv9DgdvKeJC4+aNyo5rKNlFGxU5yDggDoanDSXJy9UXW1ldHmg0PxPqJ/0m8kjU9V34/QVPafD5bol5bqViD8yso3r7MMnB9s16OsSoeIwMdc8VXm09jfR3dlNDBMSFn352yRj1/2h2NdN2YnIxeErC1kkj+yiWeOPzXt1BLOOxjZuoHfuTxV37Db28QeIQ+XKuIriQ4jlc9VkUY2P1A44+vFdTe2kF2ESUy/u5A6SRNtYEeh9D0PtR9ltP9KlSxj2XLq02/5lJHTK9PxqbMehzKpJC8htfOheBkiIhizNansD/wA9IyefxzW5eNcXmjTwXVgsNxDKFDp92UHqV7jqMj1rT8i9laRV4ZQHKoMBh6gimG3WyuIzKRKJQACGBZCem4ClGEZTXdFc7SOGXwhu3yROxP8AHGf6VCPBsMgPkTtG/wDdbkV3F7E1rKZ4/XJIqrKiXo8+2ISYfeXs1ej7NE3PP7zw1d2nUBwPSo10dpo8kiNh2Ir0FQJgY5k2uOoNU7jTIUy7MFpezQXOBXTnjlwwzg9auCIRjitO+mt0yqMGPrWS0vmE7egPWocbASQTt5oDNx2r1XwcivoZdlDB5D1HoBXkoiYpuXqK9A8C+IIbbS5ra/mSFY3yjO2M56j9K5sR8Fy46s7mYp9idcAA8YArkpLtGDSi4jCtceQoYA89Mc/jxWnP4r0NtqvqUa89RnH8qbHqPhydlZb+13D7v73GPpk1wU5xU7s1lF8trFJLffPcrCtvJNbkRjbGu7nsPQcDihrU2m2ERxRKFGEjUADPtWtHZaLcIViuYCrnJCyKdx9/WrX9i2853LOT9MEVvGpFvdGTi0c//ZETJGj6eoWSbzigZlPmZzuPPqB7c0jaVayC8+028wSfEdw0cvOApA254H4eldQNJZChW4f5ARyW+Ye/NRSaVO8LxGfcGJPzdBn0GKu6EYP2cwMqKjKFA25bJx25qv8A20kdnclkTMMoWUCTmLBxuPpwc/Sujk0m4crtKkKoUZPp74qtcaFK0DKbZGZz84JXa46cj6VSsLUl07UHNxHKrBo5FU8dCp4P5Eg/QmujeRIo2d2CqoySegrhbLT79dRu0h2Rtaqvkxt90Z+nYgYxWha67rd5bl10pJoySuRIoBwcHgkGueMvZto0lHms0dSZ4jkeYnGM8+vT86w7zS5o5m+zyy+WRgD72Pb1qv8AbLoJtk0G6x5fl/K6t8vb+Lt2q/Y6pLczCJ9OuoOOXmXA/PuauU1IlRaOQHh7xNGNieIztHAzaH/4miu/oo17jPDnYs4OeMYqSMfJwetROfu0JcCLay/w9zV3A0IYsLsb5Q/GT2qHbhuv3T+dRJcOUO4kZ65NMa9WOVo9kxcIT8kJbBxxUXbdkPRK7MvxD4kTSwbe1Ie8I5PUQ/8A2X8qxfDM3mvdeb88jEMWbknOc81itau7sXY7ieSx5JrQ0kpYyO7SHLDGAK15LKxm53Zu6BYSXvh+6traFpbjzmVEQZZjxgCtnWbK4nW30HStAuYpSVk+ePawOOc+3PVjVbwbdPa3m+xy0om81QRkAmvSfB0d3Hqd600EjpN88l1Iy5LHB29cnp6cVjONmWnoZ3hL4V21gUu9dKXdyMFYBzFGff8AvH9K9FVFRQFAAA4ApoYUF+1L1AiubYXEeM4ccq3oawdStmdDMoKsvyyL/WuhJqCeISHcB82MEf3hU/DLnQ91ZnIFfzpyH1HFbi6AZHJDbY85AIyRVuHQraH5nJJHUk4/liuv2kbXMeUxIYomgMQilaYn5GB+VR9Ov86uWenXyqwESRrJjf5ijJHp7VNd+IdA0TKy3cCPj7seC36c1zmofFaygythaPJ6NIdo/LrWEsRDpqaKnJnTnQ3uFH2y6klwcgDt6DnjH4VBfWtppVnLcycspDfM3U564GBXnd98R9ZvsiKaO3Q9ol5/M1ztxfXd9KXubiedj/fYkVj7fXRWNFS01Z6rM8c97PDEQ0S8AjpWLfWElsxlgJH0ribDxrc6JceW6faLTA3Ffvoen4119n480fUkH7+IZHKSHaw/OvbhNSWhzlK61G6UALyR0bHSsG+ur2UN5s+4flXX3CWV0pewvYFZv4S4INYdxo8CNvnu4VPU/vAabA5+206e7kyzEKOppboRW7iCLovU+9WtW8QWtlC1vZMGYjBcdBXMLqMbSZkmVBnknk/lWTaQXOitHCRSNJjYo3E0W/mFCZHVt53KFGAAeg571zEuqvdzC3jJW3z36v8AWtXRVkmE00sjMofYgJ6CuPEJ1FyplwklqXLxXZQUkbjswGKpbhjDEZ9ulaGogLCxXqPSublklaMlGII54rn9gktC1Wd9TQZwD8ppyXk8PKzzJ/uuRWF9tnX+PP1FKuqXCn+Aj3FL2TL9qjrrbX9UiA8nUrwD2mb/ABrVh8Ya9GBs1WdsepB/mK4FNakX70Sn6HFTR6+qEFoTkehqXSn0GqkXueixePfEKKCLxXH+1Cp/pVsfErXYlBYWsn1jI/ka86i8S26tllkGevFWY9fsXJLSYz2Kmocai6Md4M7az+Id5pMc13LFDPJcuWlaRmypHRRz0xjH1NS+G/iQUDpLZbVlneZmV84z2ANeeXV7bOrtHNDIGUrtbqPce9X9L8iSSNUkX7vQGnNtRuEUmz3vS9ZtdUhEtvKrA9RnkfWtLtXhNtqn2G/8u2utlwvZW5ru9G8dfKsWoDaw48wdD9fSiFfpIJUr6xO4NFUY9ThlRXVwQwyCDRWvtI9zPkkeJXEoCDnGD+dRLIANzfgKqGQ53vyewrH1XWSm6G3bLnhnH8P0960euiErLVmvc+IoLSfy+HcdR1Vf/r0svjWcwlY5oVPuua4gsSck1NbKruA4yK0jHlRm5cxfFxCxbzIdxP8AEj4pI0LTYRDycAE5NSRQwYx5YHuK6fw5oz2rrfTQ+co/1aDhx/tAHg/SiU7BGN2dD4Y0gaTZ75sC4f5mP932rofCOvLda3PCqr9nEZ2Pzucg8n0xzXIazrSXI+w2chGRm4fBBjX+7g9Ca2vAIhklurleDABCijooP/6hXPLXVmr0VkelJdo7hVDEmrIas6wHymUjBPSroekhDyST7VS1O+XT7Ga5c4WJC5+gGatb8iuG+J2r/ZdAa2VsPcsI/wDgI5NZ1ZaWW7LgrvUwbv4tarcKBY28FqpHVsyN+Z4/SubvvE+qamT9s1GeQH+HfhfyHFc/FLGqfOwGPU0x9ShX7oLfTgU/ZX6BzJGso3c5zTZAsZ3EqPqaxZNVnYYj2xj2HNVWkeQ5Zix9zVKk+onVR0Darawrx87eiiqsuuztxCiIPU8mskGng1SpRRLqNmldrhZcDh3DAe2P8TWU8atnjkVpXqnIIPUAZ9OKpiPaOe9da2OdlUmSP7rsB9aY003dzVmRQKrTNjGMUXYJkbMx+8SaIxl6aTmlUhaLjLVqcXY+hrqvDP76wkQdQx/xrkrQ4kZv9k103g+6ENyysflLAmktx9DYnTzIWB7iuW2bJWQ9jXX3wWC8nhDDaGyv0PIrl75dl4T61LQJmTdxeTKR/CeRVc1r3Vt9ot8ry68isfPWkhiGmmlJppNUhBmjNNNFUA7NPikeFw8bMjDoVOCKipQaVgLk7SrMJZGZpD827PP510GmeJ/3UUNxGW2ghpd2SfQ4p2m2UNy0vnoGCQEge/FYN0kdrc+WyfKRnI4IrDljUVmjVTcHod/FqEbRgx3SbD0xJiiuEWDcoKTQFe25sH8qKw+qeZp9Y8iXUtVIDQwn5ujOD09hWNmlZtzZwAPQUldsYqJzt3Eq5p9uJ5CDIEx696qgVoaVYyX12qJwoOWb0FDegJXZ0OjaMk9wrysWhU88fePpXSanqi6bbZjG6VvliQdz2qqkkVhbYOFRF4z2rnLjUGuJmvJf92JT/CPX6mubWTudFlFDb5/KiILb7pzuaTuWP9BXRfD77Xa3rvK832WQgzSDkLjuw6gc9a5WBWu7kFu9eweEbIaZpit0kkGT7CnOXKrEKPMzr45l8tTGQUIypByCPaniYetYBia3Zn0+RYiTloW5ic/Tqp9x+INSQaqhmWK5VraZuArn5WP+y3Q/z9qy5jXlNt5wkbMewrxL4oaybnWVt1PFuu3/AIEeT/SvV9Tv1tLRmY4Cgs30FfPGuXrX2pTTOctI5c/jSp+/V9An7sPUoFixJNApuaUGu05SQdKcKjBpc1LGSA08GohTs8UAakxzFn1xj8qgkIAAPWpUYPaIxGQoH9RVWNxLOxPQVqnoZsZMMc1SkOTV2c8GqDHOaSBDaKKKYyaE4z9MVqaPMY52IrJD4Q+9WtNkxd4z1FK2odDrnuPtDF2J4UVk343EMO1TQynO3NR3IypFDENt2zisvVbX7PNvUfJJz9DV+3OD9KnvYVurJk79QfQ0kijmSabXQ2ul6WUDTXI59ZAKux6Z4dP3rqL/AL/GmgOSGM88Cl259q7NfDnh+fiPUEUn0nH9ac3w9jnTdY6ir+x2t/I0wOJwcZxxQoywHvXQ3ngzVrPOI1lU90b+hrGeEw3QicYZWwQRQxHR20zW88mw8tGV9uay9WtZ2aKR1BIQKXH8eO/sfarzQmV3VXKOB8rA9DVm1uR5gtb5FDtwM/dkHt71hS2LnucpyKK6qXQLd5GZZNoP8JXOKK1+Rnc5PFIOaKKoolhiMsoQHGT1Ndrp9rHptsI4xlurN6miisKrd7GtIzdWvWuJ/s/IjX5n/wBqs53MsgB4A7UUVOwSep0XhWwW71NFfG1fmI9a9NWUgADgDpRRXPVbudFJaDhMeDU6FZkZJEV0bqrDINFFZJls47xtqT6dZyWkTO8U58pQ5yYu5APUgjPXpXk9ycyse5NFFdWFWjZhiHsiLNLzRRXWcw4A+tSA4GaKKkA8wehpjSg9jRRTSA0LF99hOuOAwx+tFum1WooqkSRXK7YiaoH7tFFHUENooooKHH7n41LZNtvIz74oooEbwOHzSzduetFFMkghOJKuKfkooqCznGxFdyLjI3EYptxEIyCv3W5A9KKKYiIVIkskZzG7KR3U4oopjNWz8V6taKAt28iD+CX5x+taS6jbeIyFubXy7pfmEidP8aKKJbAQTyRWs4BMrTE84wFHP5nt6VfAhv4jFPECueR6H1BoorK1ooG9QNpqMB8uG6iaNfumRMtj3NFFFVzMD//Z" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_7" width="307" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our host was a
gentleman by the name of Colum Arbuckle – named after St. Columb, the old Irish
saint Colmcille from the sixth century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
a ready smile and a quick word, Colum showed us the ropes on how to broadcast
and defined high journalistic standards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He insisted that if they interviewed a person with one opinion on
something, they then had to give the opinion of a person from the other side –
thus staying even-handed and allowing them to get through the Troubles without
being accused of bias.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the name of
Radio Foyle is non-partisan, not identifying itself with either the Nationalist
or Unionist sides of the issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="data:image/png;base64,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" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img align="left" border="0" hspace="12" src="data:image/png;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQEAYABgAAD/2wBDAAoHBwkHBgoJCAkLCwoMDxkQDw4ODx4WFxIZJCAmJSMgIyIoLTkwKCo2KyIjMkQyNjs9QEBAJjBGS0U+Sjk/QD3/2wBDAQsLCw8NDx0QEB09KSMpPT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT3/wAARCAB3AGoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAHwAAAQUBAQEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQFBgcICQoL/8QAtRAAAgEDAwIEAwUFBAQAAAF9AQIDAAQRBRIhMUEGE1FhByJxFDKBkaEII0KxwRVS0fAkM2JyggkKFhcYGRolJicoKSo0NTY3ODk6Q0RFRkdISUpTVFVWV1hZWmNkZWZnaGlqc3R1dnd4eXqDhIWGh4iJipKTlJWWl5iZmqKjpKWmp6ipqrKztLW2t7i5usLDxMXGx8jJytLT1NXW19jZ2uHi4+Tl5ufo6erx8vP09fb3+Pn6/8QAHwEAAwEBAQEBAQEBAQAAAAAAAAECAwQFBgcICQoL/8QAtREAAgECBAQDBAcFBAQAAQJ3AAECAxEEBSExBhJBUQdhcRMiMoEIFEKRobHBCSMzUvAVYnLRChYkNOEl8RcYGRomJygpKjU2Nzg5OkNERUZHSElKU1RVVldYWVpjZGVmZ2hpanN0dXZ3eHl6goOEhYaHiImKkpOUlZaXmJmaoqOkpaanqKmqsrO0tba3uLm6wsPExcbHyMnK0tPU1dbX2Nna4uPk5ebn6Onq8vP09fb3+Pn6/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwDpsce1JjtTHkjjyGc5A3EA54p3ykdf1rK5pyshvE/0Sb/rm38q871mWeOS4fA3jrntwOa9FusCzmz02N79q861uUO0zFSNxUfMMdhVXsmzOUeZpHNGaUnfIzM55yfSp9O05rqV5JDhc5zir8On5jWST7x7elbGnWWVIcbV78dq5KldJaHfSwrbTkVINPNnOBgbScqwrWXSVm+dflbHaqU3iC1ssww2rXbjoW4A/Ckh8UzlwZreMKOwOCKwSqS1sdXNTh7qK2raKeSUOfVRWOmlys2QOO+a7eHWbS5g86MlgDhhjoag229zJvgTBJ5Uj+lddKTSszmrUuf3omHYaa5uFtpZAiTH5XIyFNbp8FopPmako/4AP8a0Vis4WjhuD+8m4CoOh7Z9KSy+Hf8Aac2LaXfGGIaRxt2kdiDyfqOtdtJQk7SnY82tSklzNGY3hKxX7+qj/wAdH9ab/wAIvpP/AEFP/IiVd1TwVHo1yIbtTzyjqBtce3FZosNMA4kbH+6P8K6lh6b2m/uOVyUdGjvCLeRWH/PQ4JHU0v2SHIPzcZ7+pqQLJn5lVeOPY5pwDcAgHJ5wK85I9NuS2ZDMimCUY+XYR7dK4HXQq3rl+EJizkdQVAr0WVR5EgwR8h/lXCa5AJ7llYZ3RR/+gir5OZNHNUqclpMhuBb2ETXFyTs3YVR1apk1O2urYERmL29axdfMsy2jlv3Srgr6sPWsa5uZgoHnbc/dxXnvDa67nrRxV1foX7t0QyeSDtU8kVRacSLtSLcWOPvcD611U3haOxsrd7SSSYTRh5I3PUnuD2qLT9EsVUyXDNuB+5ihVYJX3LnRqNlLw7p1yZJ5NgMEibSpPU9iK3DOYUAXarKMfIMYp018I4/KtwqIBjAFY8lwyyHnOetSqs5O5rGjGC1FuJmjUlZWJzk57V6to+sW6iBo3AgSEcj3ry2y04X0jSTMUtU++/8AQe9ei2dra22l28EcIjt3TZtH6HNEqiUkupz1qKnbsaXisRajpVtJG4O2Qrkdsj/61cMdPkyf3wHtsrp4blbPT3jvAzKDtdl5Ps1Vn025LsVh3LnhgeCPWvVwlfmTT3R5eLw/I046pmr5ag5xz60FfrUv4Uu0VFh3ZXkB8qT/AHT/ACrhtWH+mL/1xj/9BFd66fI/+6f5VwmqjNzGfWCP/wBBrWmtTmxXwGDq0UU2nBUyLlZPmyeCp6YrOTRnlKjbufPJ7KPrW88atncoIIwQashs2haJQGQYcAfka58RCcVzROnA1oVGqch19r/2WCO3WDJiQKpJ4YVkRXb6ldBHRYCR1Q5BquUa4llUk8KapW088MpjtSd+cbj61xRpq2m57brO9mbskDwjDsGA43AVreGdDWeeS7uoBLEvCh/u+596wbbTLt5s3t4fMPSNe31r0hrddP0q3gU/w81zzlbRMbk+pU1DSdMuNOaKGZraPOcRjjP0qybi3FtABNmOPGM9ax7mZUR9zYUVDDIbhFaJTIhbaQeCKUKbkyXJLc6C5s7mO+WJkMsVxMsiN2KHHFQXeo3JvJjHKQhkbaB0xnit9LuKXQorpAZGtEkIXoQQvSvEP+Fjap2tbbHb5T/jXs0IRp3v1PHxE5VLW6HfL44TOPssgyeuzp+tOPjdQSBbyH3CcfzrnQEPTFOCj0FdHJE8361M3m8a7kYLbSglSB8gxn865+Oe5uIkN4ytKqhcqMDA6VJtHpRgVSilsZTrSmrMYRRDI8MqtHy3TB6NntSkVJYoH1K2U9DIufzoa0Jg2mrEF7apmWS1KjIKnHIB6H9axHspdMVBAd8j8l8cg+1XtFvVxMtwwEMkjvuJ+6SxP5Vp3aJb24njxKAMqQcivNq05Rd1sz6KjXUt90R6LprwNHNeygO7A7Scn8a769kEsKDH3e9eN3euTG5jc5+RwcV6xaalBPaQuSCrqGrgrUpRtJnVGqpSsjGvZYvMK7Ny+uKuaUscUBmUgEk/Kf51emisbqPDoeOm04qGSwWO1bYdyYJB7j61ph5JsVeLUboo6zrcdh4W1pFfaZYyif7zccV42GwAK3PFmptNdCzRiUhOW92rnea9OOx5s2rnpoFKBUvlgd8+/rRtHrXZax4jI8UEVLgU04FAiFuKIZPKuEk/unP6GlbGOtVbmTZBMynkRsf0NTLY0pK80crqBmTRodo/dSffOO/aqOna1d6axEUhaI9Y25U1017FCnhFkkbEjgBB3JFcktsW4AyfSsJqzPSg7mrPIl4vmhQA3p2rW8N+JhaOLG5YmDpG5/hPp9K5V5BCpjjOSfvH1qIsZDheFHesuS6szbn6o9u0y4VsHepBFaPnBWO1gp9K8o8L+IntJUtZpCyfwsx6V6NDOl5GCCPMA4PrXk1qTpyuj06FZTiY/ibwVDrbNdWZWG69D0euGfwVrqOy/YXODjIIr1eG72nbMMY6GrP2hv7361rTxcoqzJnhoSdzgdK8RWbXaxyFZE2hcMOp9RXSrd2L9LIEdjkc15ArbSGXgjoa9C8Miee0RpeYyOB3/Cvdi3W9TxZQjHU3xc2Q/wCXAf8AfQqaL7POu6PSi4BxkHPNZ0itFIUYcj9a0vDk0cdlcljGGW5cgsQDyF6Vld3sVyR3sMnEMCF30fao6lulYOuXcE2nSrDapAQpyR3zxXRa5qEbadOokiPTGHBJ5HauJupDPp1yVIzlVz6VLb6jUV0Ma7na5mRAeI1wvoB61lXE68xQn5f4m9amuJw+YYD8n8b/AN6qjQ55HB7VG+rKWhC6gdOppz8AKKQ/f+lKi72zTGEakHdnBHSu88Ja6Lhfs8rYlTp7iuJIwMCkhnks7hJom2upyKzqQVSNmXTm4O6PaHVbmHIxuFV/LuBWb4e1uO/s1mXG7GHX0NbwlBHWvInBwdj1YSUlc8TkgmiOWXpXo/gy3nNjvud3HRCO3YiucgiWaUEBXYH7p7122lagFs/PkVhx9wKSR26DtX0mFjq5SPGxHuq0WSTylZGy0ihTyVZh+lVJr6JMl7iRCPVj/VapXd4IrhmijklVjnEny7fp3FRjUZ4lDrbFCCNrA5/mKxqKbfusFJW1Qp8UKJGRWmYY4wqsP/rVzmva/NqaGCPZHCD85VQNxq7q+pPqEy2kYwf+WsgUZUegxWdq8NvHbQxWwcIp5Dr1985qPe6jbT2RkDBAVB8vrSyrlMjgingY9qjmYiPAGSTSEVXXYMfxGpo02KM0r2lxbSr9qhkjd1DqHXGVPQ/SnH3oGIxqB1z1qUmo2OaEBe0LVW0q+BJPlPw4/rXoqX6MikSDBGRzXk7VKL65VQBKwA4HNZ1KSnqzWFVwOx0S1trq+cXiv9nHVl4IPb3rrIPEX9mQRWFkWSFMkMjEE5PO4EGiit47Cq/EZGo3lzfzmedmZyfvggEDt0xWfcNcFhbR3MheRdzkkkIp+p5oopLUzkLb6RNDFiJwwzySqnJ/GsXVnZb5rd2VjGvJVQv4UUU2rEJmfkDJNM81i6tHhShyCfWiioKJLq5nvZ2muJS8h7njH0HYVXYUUUDImNMLe1FFMBpIPbFJkUUUAf/Z" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_5" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
BBC Radio Foyle is, for some, a stepping stone to bigger
broadcasting, but also a home to others that are happy with the broadcasting in
Derry. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark Patterson, a producer at the
station, is proud of his Facebook page that gets many hits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and several others at the station are
working on bringing the younger demographic into the world of radio. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="data:image/png;base64,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" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="144" src="data:image/png;base64,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" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_10" width="186" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was an air of collegiality at the station – warmth,
bustling production, and an excitement to get the news and the next story –
that is one of the differences between now and the past – instead of the news
coming to them, they must go and get it – kind of a nice change, don’t you
think? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">And remember - when the red light is on - shhhhhhh - they're broadcasting!</span></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></strong></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337096202077539349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-4950179457257195692014-01-10T12:35:00.000-08:002014-03-01T16:48:30.311-08:00The Journey of Peace"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SRPTSZbtyQs/UtBDTi9uCfI/AAAAAAAAADQ/4kLodWHI_CI/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SRPTSZbtyQs/UtBDTi9uCfI/AAAAAAAAADQ/4kLodWHI_CI/s1600/photo.JPG" height="200" width="149" /></a></div>
<b>By Steve Poole</b><br />
<br />
<i>"Peace is not only better than war, but infinitely more arduous."</i><br />
<i>George Bernard Shaw</i><br />
<br />
As this amazing journey to Northern Ireland begins to come to a close, I am becoming profoundly aware of those things that I will be taking with me. I don't simply mean the obligatory souvenir shopping. The most precious thing that I will take from this place are the memories of the people and their stories that have made this such a fascinating and profound experience.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m92V_-o7XSw/UtBBXx6IknI/AAAAAAAAAC8/OlF-daZNNwQ/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m92V_-o7XSw/UtBBXx6IknI/AAAAAAAAAC8/OlF-daZNNwQ/s1600/030.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
Whether it was the tour of Belfast given by former combatants, or the witness for peace given by those who seek to make meaning out of this conflict, I will remember their courage and willingness to step out into a journey for peace. I will remember my conversations with Michael Dougherty of the Peace and Reconciliation Group who is still passionate about and committed to the possibility of a lasting peace even when the road is slow and arduous. I will also take with me the memories of countless people in this city who opened up their lives and their stories to us. Whether it was over a pint <br />
in the pub, a tour guide teaching us about his beautiful city, or peacemakers who gave of their time to share their journey. They shared their generosity of spirit, their humor, their pain and their own hopes, beliefs and dreams.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HRgXsHVhRzQ/UtBCirELFhI/AAAAAAAAADI/C-jnaxXqGUs/s1600/IMG_0920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HRgXsHVhRzQ/UtBCirELFhI/AAAAAAAAADI/C-jnaxXqGUs/s1600/IMG_0920.JPG" height="251" width="320" /></a></div>
Peace building through dialogue is not only limited to places that have experienced this kind of struggle and conflict. Most importantly, I take with me new skills and a new understanding of what it means to live a life for peace and justice. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-upGwzBvROro/UtBY4tVAQMI/AAAAAAAAAD0/FqTtB_AXi3s/s1600/IMG_0906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-upGwzBvROro/UtBY4tVAQMI/AAAAAAAAAD0/FqTtB_AXi3s/s1600/IMG_0906.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3105925876855393953.post-7625318958409428232014-01-10T10:47:00.004-08:002014-03-01T16:48:30.365-08:00Permeable Walls???by Dawne Davis<br />
A vertical structure that is intended to divide, enclose or protect an area. A wall. There are walls in my hotel room. They are intended to delineate my space from another room and provide privacy to me from the person in the room(s) next to me. Inside my room the walls are decorated with pictures or are mounted with items that serve a function, like the light fixtures or the beverage caddy to house the teas, cups and hot water kettle. <br />
<br />
In Derry/Londonderry, we find walls of remembrance. Murals of a conflicted past that remain <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oYldqtJ-Opk/UtA8t0VS1sI/AAAAAAAAADI/7eB8UBNXqAI/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oYldqtJ-Opk/UtA8t0VS1sI/AAAAAAAAADI/7eB8UBNXqAI/s1600/image.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
symbolic of the present division of people in Northern Ireland. These murals are located on the sides of homes and businesses. In Belfast we also find murals as in Derry/Londonderry, murals in solidarity with other peoples in current civil unrest. Murals pledging "Never Again". But most striking, in 2014, there are 45 foot high walls situated between neighborhoods. Almost unimaginable that these dividing walls still stand. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oYldqtJ-Opk/UtA8t0VS1sI/AAAAAAAAADI/7eB8UBNXqAI/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qku56QxoRp0/UtA8wjOao1I/AAAAAAAAADY/Y_Y6Jc7uQCU/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qku56QxoRp0/UtA8wjOao1I/AAAAAAAAADY/Y_Y6Jc7uQCU/s1600/image.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
Personally coming from an African-American heritage, there were were walls for me and my ancestry, but they were invisible. I like to believe this invisibility was beneficial in creating space for dialogue leading to improved civil liberties. Merely seeing into the lives of others, even if just a glimpse, develops an understanding and familiarity. How do you have a dialogue to build peace, when these imposing structures, stark reminders, continue to exist?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1R60E3OpqHQ/UtA8utPhY8I/AAAAAAAAADQ/PB92uKVvc54/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1R60E3OpqHQ/UtA8utPhY8I/AAAAAAAAADQ/PB92uKVvc54/s1600/image.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
Perhaps the four hundred year old 'Wall' in Derry/Londonderry can serve as a symbol of a path forward. The Wall is permeable. Stairs that take you on and off the wall and open gates allow one to pass through; similarly dialogue for permanent peace can also begin to flow. Hopefully the walls in Belfast can begin to be removed, even if only bit by bit. This is progress.<br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0