Prince Harry backed peace project Amazing the Space 5 to finish with digital showcase
The fifth year of one of the largest youth peace programmes ever to take place across Ireland will come to a close on Thursday when the work of young people involved will be celebrated in a digital showcase.
Amazing the Space was launched in 2016 and in September 2017 His Royal Highness Prince Harry came to lend his support by officially launching the second year of the project.
In 2016, 409 schools submitted Peace Pledges articulating young people’s aspirations for a more peaceful society for themselves and their peers. It is funded by The Executive Office.
These pledges were from both local and international schools around the world.
Prince Harry returned with the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle in 2018 to attend a major celebratory event in on the Maze/Long Kesh site that saw 5000 young people reaffirm their commitment to their peace pledges.
These pledges were turned into a tree sculpture that has been permanently displayed in Ebrington Square, Derry/Londonderry.
Away from these showcase events Regional Cluster Groups have been working to bring young people together from local schools to explore how young people can ‘live out’ their Peace Pledges.
This year a series of regional programmes across Northern Ireland have encouraged young people to play an active role in bringing positive change to their communities under four headings, Sport, Music, Culture and Tradition, and Engaging with Authority.
Co-ordinator Matt Gamble said: “Amazing the Space is very well known for the major events we had with Prince Harry and in Ebrington Square but the real work to build peace in our communities was ongoing through our Regional Cluster Groups and I couldn’t be prouder of the work the young people have carried out.”
The Digital Showcase will include contributions from guest speakers addressing issues of cultures and traditions today, as well as those from the world of sport.
Guest speakers including former footballer Gerry Armstrong, Ulster Championship GAA winner and NI footballer Aimee Mackin and New York GAA official Mickey Quigg will encourage the students to learn about and become more involved in these important Amazing the Space themes.
The Showcase will also include a video of joint school choirs comprised of young people who recorded the ‘Song of Hope’ last summer – which is a rendition of the Cranberries song ‘Dreams’.
To register for the free event see below: