Countdown to Peace Forum begins

With only three weeks to go until the International Peace Forum in Derry-Londonderry, Rotarians in Great Britain and Ireland are gearing up for what promises to be the event of the year for those with an interest in peacebuilding and reconciliation.

The forum is being hosted by the Rotary Club of Londonderry in partnership with the University of Ulster’s International Conflict Research Institute. The theme is ‘peace through building bridges’ and the event aims to make a meaningful contribution to reconciliation, learning and self expression for those involved in peacemaking and peacebuilding throughout the world.

Special guests include:

Martin McGuinness, Deputy First Minister, Northern Ireland 
Roelf Meyer, Former Chief Negotiator, National party of South Africa 
Juan Jose Ibarretxe, Former Basque President 
John Cullinane, US Software Entrepreneur 
Chouchou Namegabe Dubuisson, a pioneer and fearless voice for justice, Democratic Republic of the Congo  
Nuala O‘Loan, Former Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman 
Dawn Purvis, Former leader of the Progressive Unionist Party  
Eamonn McCann, Political Activist, Commentator and Author 
Gregory Campbell, MP for East Londonderry

There will be peacebuilding workshops and a gala event showcasing the new cultural regeneration space in Derry-Londonderry.

President of the Rotary Club of Londonderry, Maurice Brennan commented: “We hope that the legacy of the Global Peace Forum will be that through pooling the knowlege and expertise of experts around the world, we can make some small contribution towards bringing peace to other countries.”

Tickets to the event are still available at £60 per person. Full details can be found at  www.peaceconference2013.com.  Alternatively, more information is available from the Rotary Club of Londonderry where you can register online and book for the Forum and the Gala Ball.