PRESS RELEASE
5 December 2006

International Volunteers learn from the conflict and peace in Ireland

The US Presbyterian Committee for Northern Ireland (PCNI) has granted financial support to the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in order to support ten International Volunteers who come from all over the world to stay and Glencree for one year and learn from the conflict and peacebuilding work in Ireland, North and South.

Today, the 5th of December, is International Volunteers Day, a day to acknowledge and appreciate all the volunteers that have made and continue to make peacebuilding work in Ireland and around the world possible.

The lessons learned in Ireland from the conflict and peace process have value and relevance to conflicts around the world.  Glencree has received several requests from groups and governments around the world to share our learning.  The Irish government, through the funding body, Irish Aid, is supporting Glencree’s efforts to reach out to other conflict areas and offer advice, training and insights. 

Ten individuals come to Glencree and stay for one year to help run the peace centre, and to learn about peacebuilding work.  While each conflict has a unique context, history, culture and actors, there are lessons learned in peacebuilding that are useful to other conflicts and are important for cultivating relationships within and between communities.

The International Fund for Ireland also supports Glencree’s International Volunteer Programme.

This grant was given to Glencree by the PCNI “in recognition of your significant on-going contributions to the Northern Ireland peace process.  We are honored to do this, and with both warmth and great admiration we are pleased to support the work that you do…  Congratulations and thanks for the extraordinary good works you and your staff contribute to the cause of Irish and world peace!” said Rev. Dr. James G. Macdonell, Chair of the PCNI in the US.

The Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation
Glencree, Co. Wicklow
Telephone: 01 2829711, Email: info@glencree.ie