Paul Harris Fellowship awarded to Rev. Dr. Harold Good
Recognising outstanding commitment to the community reflecting Rotary's motto "Service above Self", The Rotary Club of Belfast has awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship to the Rev. Dr. Harold Good "in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among people of the world".
This prestigious award is Rotary's highest honour for individuals who have demonstrated exemplary humanitarian service, with an emphasis on personal efforts and active involvement in helping others.
The citation, made by PP David Boyd, highlights Rev. Good's amazing work not only in this city but around the world. Having come back after the civil rights issues in the States in 1968 "for a quiet life" he didn't exactly get that at the start of the troubles as a minister on the Shankill Road and part-time chaplain at the city's Crumlin Road Prison! Since then he has remained "close to the coalface" enabling him to become a confidant to all. He has also been Director of the Corrymeela Centre, President of the Methodist Church and, although he "retired" in 2002, he is renowned for the Decommissioning process and reconciliation work around the world most notably South Africa, Columbia and Spain and again back home helping to resolve the controversial Orange march Twaddell/Crumlin Road stand off. He has been given the World Methodist Peace Award for his reconciliation work in company with Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan and Anwar Sadat; the Rene Casin Human Rights Award from the Basque Government; the Gandhi Foundation International Peace Award and Doctorates from QUB, Ulster University, the Open University and the Ohio Wesleyan University. PP David noted that it has been said that he gives a "feeling of gentle serenity and integrity which engenders trust" and he was proud to recommend him for the Fellowship for all he has done here and beyond.
It was presented to him by President Ivan McMinn following his presentation to the TABU students. Rev. Good noted he was humbled to receive the Fellowship and appreciated it very much. He affirmed that he was privileged to have been associated with the "hugely important" TABU programme for many years.
Addressing the students he advised that "young people like you are the new generation and we need you around the world – one day we may have met a President of the US – who knows?" Referring to the TABU banner's Edmund Burke quote, "All that is required for evil to prosper is that good men to do nothing", he stressed they must not be passive and encouraged them to take the lessons learnt back home, sharing and utilising them to have a positive impact on society.