Sri Lankan delegation visits Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation

01/02/2009 12:00:00

A delegation of Sri Lankan peace builders has visited Dublin and Belfast in a joint initiative organised by VSO and the Glencree Peace and Reconciliation Centre. The delegation weeklong visit involved workshops at the Glencree Centre as well as visits to community-based projects on both sides of the divide in Belfast.

VSO promotes peace building initiatives and reconciliation in Sri Lanka where grassroots organisations are working tirelessly with local people trying to mitigate the impacts of war and conflict. Through volunteer placements and the current study tour to Northern Ireland VSO is hoping to promote positive interaction and learning.

Speaking about the Sri Lankan delegation visit Malcolm Quigley Director of VSO Ireland said, “There are unique parallels between the Northern Irish and Sri Lankan conflicts and significant opportunities to learn from the peace process in Northern Ireland and apply those lessons to Sri Lanka. VSO Ireland hopes that the Sri Lankan delegation’s visit to Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation and the various cross-community organizations in Northern Ireland fosters this learning”.