Northern Ireland
Introduction | Background | News & Photos
Play for Peace children in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
As part of their training for leadership as peacemakers, Youth Facilitators in Northern Ireland learn to plan events, make presentations, lead games and implement Play for Peace methodology when working with local children.
News
Within a comfortable environment, youth and children of different backgrounds participating in Play for Peace programs build confidence and greater self-esteem. Youth Facilitators also learn communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.
Play for Peace sessions at local primary schools in Northern Ireland focus on non-competitive and team-building games. Within the schools, students work at different levels of "challenges" as part of a learning/leadership model. The model is based upon the Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network (ASDAN) Youth Achievement Awards program in Ireland.
In 2007, Play for Peace participants at Hazelwood Integrated College received 17 bronze and 10 silver ASDAN Youth Achievement Awards.
Hazelwood also hosted a Peace Assembly in March of 2007 and a celebratory Play for Peace session attended by all beneficiaries across Northern Ireland.
Current Initiatives
In January of 2005, Vishwas Parchure, Play for Peace Global Field Operations Manager visited Northern Ireland for ten days. Vishwas helped to ground new staff with in-depth training in the philosophy and methods of Play for Peace. He gave a global perspective on Play for Peace with presentations to the schools about the work of other Regional Communities and met with potential funders. This visit helped to further polish the work of this already well-designed and vibrant Regional Community.