Glencree was the venue for a number of discussions at various stages of the peace process, and has played a role in developing the space for a peaceful future since the centre was founded in 1974. The summer school has been a regular event over many years, and has brought together a wide variety of speakers from all political parties here, and many other Irish and International Organisations, as well as interesting individuals.
The theme of this years school was 'Leadership for a new generation - Power, politics and participation', and it kicked off on a sunny friday in the picturesque Wicklow countryside, with an opening address by independent MLA and former PUP leader Dawn Purvis, and the hunger striker Laurence McKeown, chaired by David Bloomfield from Glencree.
L to R; Dawn Purvis MLA, David Bloomfield, and Laurence McKeown
The second session, on the topic, of 'What kind of Leadership do we need' involved a panel discussion which included SDLP Cllr Niall Kelly, Sean Ruth, Author of 'Leadership and Liberation', DUP MLA Jonathan Bell, and chair of Ógra Fianna Fáil, Thomas Byrne TD.
The final session of the evening was another panel session, this time on the topic 'What is the Role of Young People in Creating Change?'. The crowd was addressed by Brian Hayes TD of Fine Gael, John McAllister MLA of the UUP, Robert Mulhall of Lucca Leadership, and Ógra's National Organiser, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. This discussion was highly entertaining and a number of interesting. and surprising, opinions were voiced. However all present were reminded that 'Chatham House rules' (ie no attributing controversial quotes to speakers!!!) were in force. However Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire's speech is below.
Following further heated discussion in the bar for the rest of friday evening, the programme began again in the morning with a dicsussion on Minority Issues in Irish Politics, which heard views from Patrick Nevin of Travellers for Travellers, Hallala Ahmadi, of the Irish Kurdish Community, Palestinian Yaser Alashqar, and Salome Mbugua, of Adikwa.
The rest of saturday took on a different format, with all present participating in open space techonology, a unique and fluid form of convening workshops and moving from discussion to discussion. many topics were discussed here, from the role of political ex-prisoners in the Peace Process to Integrated Education. Activisrs explored many issues outside of their confort zones, and very much found their beliefs challenged in a stimulating and positive manner.
L to R Sean Ruth, Cllr Niall Kelly SDLP, Ian White and MLA Jonathan Bell DUP
The workshops carried on until the afternoon, after which the weary guests let their hair down with some entertainment in the centre.
While there may have been a few tender heads the following morning, there was little slow or lax about the sunday mornings opening debate on 'International Dimensions', involving Ruth Zach, Deputy Head of Mission at the Israeli Embassy, Michael Semple author on Afghanistan, Freda Hughes of the IPSC, and H.E Jeremiah Ndou, Ambassador to South Africa.
This was the final discussion, and following a closing adress, delegates parted ways, having developed new contacts and friendships, and heard as wide a range of points of view as one could imagine.
Some of the Ógra activists present
Speaking after the event, Ógra Shinn Féin National Organiser said 'This weekend has been a very unique opportunity to hear points of view and analysis from many people we woudlnt ordinarily come across. So this was undoubtedly an invaluable experience for me, and I hope, for the other Ógra activists. Many of the discussions and speakers made some fascinating and interesting points, and in particular it was invaluable to be able to have discussions in the social time with other young political activsts, from the UUP, DUP, the SDLP and the Labour party, to get their perspective as young people on Ireland's future. These opportunities for discussions are always welcome, and we should grasp them when they arrive. We certainly hope that we have the opportunity to return to Glencree at some point.
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