Co-operation Ireland #45in45 – Amazing the Space Peace Tree
In 2024 we are marking Co-operation Ireland’s 45th anniversary by exploring our history through 45 items.
Item 3: Amazing the Space Peace Tree in Ebrington Square
In the heart of Ebrington Square, Derry/Londonderry, a symbol of unity and peace stands tall – the Amazing the Space Peace Tree.
The tree is a permanent tribute to Ireland’s largest youth-led peace event – Co-operation Ireland’s Amazing the Space and was unveiled on Friday November 29, 2019.
The ‘Amazing the Space’ project was launched in 2016 by The Duke of Sussex Prince Harry from an idea by the Reverend David Latimer, and has since developed into an educational programme run by Matt Gamble which we celebrate today on the UNESCO International Day of Education.
The tree was designed to be a permanent reminder of the work of the young people.
From the programme’s inception in 2016 over 400 schools across Northern Ireland and the border counties have created peace pledges articulating young people’s commitment towards a more peaceful society for themselves and their peers.
The tree’s leaves feature the peace pledges of the schools, and also those of former Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster and the late Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness who backed the event along with their parties.
We remain extremely proud the tree will be a permanent feature of Ebrington Square.
In 2023 ATS worked with school partnerships across four Regional Clusters including Ballycastle, Ballymena, Bangor, Newry, and South Armagh.
The key themes of art, migration and the movement of people, participation in sport, and advocating for human rights were undertaken by the students who worked tirelessly together on their joint project.
Through a series of facilitated workshops and engagement events young people on Amazing the Space completed their joint project with their partner schools prior to sharing their learning with peers at a Showcase and Conference Event which took place in W5 at the Odyssey Belfast.
Two hundred young people across nine schools completed Amazing the Space in 2022-23 gaining skills in meeting new people, working effectively together, and building confidence through making presentations in front of peers and having their voice heard.
ATS 2024 is already underway.
We want to thank The Executive Office for their continued support on this programme.