ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE, ON THE OCCASION OF THE PEACE DAY
ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE, ON THE OCCASION OF THE PEACE DAY TO BE HELD IN ST. ANDREW’S COLLEGE ON 3 APRIL, 1998
I’d like to thank you all for the very fine welcome you have given me this morning and I’m delighted to have been invited by the Dublin Schools’ Peace Movement to be here to open the ‘The Peace Day’. I wish to thank the Headmaster Mr. Godsil, his staff and the students of St. Andrew's College for hosting to-day's event.
At this time, of course, peace is very much in the minds of all of us on this island – as politicians and officials are making great efforts to resolve the difficulties that have been the source of so much suffering and hurt over the last three decades. I know that I speak for everyone here today in wishing them well in their important mission. We all hope and pray that a lasting solution to the conflict can be found before too long - and that we have seen an end to the suffering that has been inflicted on so many people – and that has devastated so many lives and families.
I know that there are sixteen member schools in the Peace Club, but it would be appropriate, I think, to refer specifically to St. Andrews College, who are the hosts for this event today – and who were the originators of the Peace Club, as a follow on from the St. Andrews Peace Club founded here in 1993. The club achieved remarkable early successes – in, for example, getting politicians and other well known personalities to speak with the students – and in launching an extensive letter-writing campaign – both of which took place in the days prior to the cease-fire. These initiatives brought new insights and a new understanding of the concept of peace – they allowed you to reflect on the complexities of conflict and on the need to promote peace and reconciliation. They set a firm foundation for the future work of the club – a new base from which to embark on further initiatives.
Looking at the need for peace and reconciliation, you quickly realise that it is not just something that affects others in a different place – such as Northern Ireland – or the Middle East. Peace is not something that is just brought about overnight and left like an oil painting to be admired. Peace is an organic state – it needs to be nurtured and developed – it needs to be allowed to mature and to grow with reconciliation. Nor is it something that we can take for granted in our own place – in our own schools – or in our own homes. Peace also has a personal meaning which is very relevant to each and every one of us. Inner peace involves understanding ourselves and accepting the way that we are. On a wider scale, peace involves trying to understand and to accept other people to the greatest possible extent. In order to flourish, peace needs an environment in which there is respect at all levels for other people. This is the philosophy which underpins the Dublin Schools' Peace Movement.
A further development was the anti-bullying campaign - the annual poster competition open to all Junior Cycle students – and the Anti-Bullying Charter which is now part of policy here in St. Andrew's. Bullying is not always visible – not always obvious to the observer. While it can be physical - it is perhaps more insidious - more difficult to detect and deal with – and potentially more devastating - if it is subtle and carefully concealed.
The Anti-Bullying Charter is for the bullies and the bullied. For the bullies it should make them stop and reflect on what they are doing – what it would be like for themselves if they were to be intimidated or humiliated – how easily it would lead to a downward spiral of low self-esteem and loss of confidence – of how easy it is to create a ‘blighted childhood’. For the bullied, the Charter represents a life-line – a reassurance that it is possible to get help and support – that there are people who can come to your assistance – that the bullies and bullying can be stopped.
I would like to pay tribute to everyone who has been involved in the Dublin Schools' Peace Movement. The success of each undertaking has hinged upon the commitment and co-operation of many people. I would like to give special recognition to Ms. Marisela de Cleary, the founder of the Movement - who has been outstanding in her commitment to the work of the peace groups – and whose inspiration has been an essential part in the success of the Movement. I know that the presentations which await us will give us plenty of food for thought.