Build Peace Through Exercise – Peace Cycle

18 August 2011

The Youth For Peace Project completed their “Peace Through Exercise” cycle from Belfast through Monaghan to Fermanagh from August 14th to 18th 2011.

The project is a partnership between Youth Work Ireland Monaghan, Clones Erne East Partnership and Dee Street Community in Belfast and supported by the International Fund for Ireland and the Department of Foreign Affairs. The primary purpose of the project is to foster positive relations between the Catholic and Protestant communities in, and between, the areas to further the achievement of the lasting peace amongst our communities. A brief summary of the project shows the development of an existing partnership between the young people from these three communities, to encourage them to recognise the similarities and accept the differences between them.

The Peace Through Exercise element of the project seen participants take part in a Peace Cycle from August 14th to August 18th. The young people gathered old and unwanted bicycles in all three areas and brought them back to their former glory through Recycling Residentials, and taking part in Cycle Training to ensure they stayed safe on the busy roads. These workshop based residentials involved planning the Peace Cycle, developing skills for fixing bikes, working together as a team, building positive relationships, and having a positive impact on the environment. The “Peace Cycle” involved the young people and older people cycling from their respective communities together, and doing a tour of particular areas of interest, which added to the enhancement of their understanding of the barriers of peace and reconciliation. 30 young people aged under 25 will took part in the cycle along with 15 people aged from 25 to 105!!