International Peace Awards
The Rotary Club of Belfast were delighted to host the presentation of the inaugural San Antonio International Peace Awards bestowed by the Rotary Club of San Antonio, Texas to 4 local charities: Mary Peters Trust, R-City Belfast, Harmony Community Trust and PeacePlayers NI at the Belfast Club meeting Monday 18 July.
Photo from left: Ken Nixon, Immediate Past President Rotary Club of Belfast; Jack Maguire, Rotary Club of San Antonio; Will Doggart, Mary Peters Trust; JC Clapsaddle, San Antonio Club; Lady Mary Peters, Mary Peters Trust; Donovan Evit, R-City Belfast; Steven Costello, President, The Rotary Club of Belfast and David Boyd, Harmony Community Trust.
The Rotary Club of Belfast Immediate Past President Ken Nixon welcoming the Rotarians from San Antonio (from left: Jack Maguire, PP Joan Kerol, Deborah Martin Alamo Heights Club, San Antonio and JC Clapsaddle), representatives of the 4 charities and Bishop Trevor Williams, representing Corrymeela commented: “the Belfast Club has a fine record of programmes working for peace and reconciliation over the last 50 years and we are delighted to connect with the San Antonio Club, who also have a massive commitment to International peace and reconciliation.”
San Antonio's leading members Jack Maguire and JC Clapsaddle advised that they “had formed a relationship with Corrymeela following a visit to San Antonio by former Director Derek Wilson and as the San Antonio Rotary Club is committed to the Rotary philosophy of international peace building and reconciliation we decided to initiate these International Peace Awards. The recipients have been selected locally by the Belfast Club for their outstanding work for peace and reconciliation and young people and we are delighted to present the inaugural awards to these charities.”
IPP Ken introduced each recipient charity reading the citation. Each recipient greatly thanked the San Antonio Club for the award and Bursary noting they were very appreciative of the support and the much needed funding will immediately be put to great use.
Mary Peters Trust - the Award was accepted by Hon. Member Lady Mary Peters and Trust Board member Will Doggart
The Mary Peters Trust was established to create an ongoing meaningful commemoration of Mary's Gold Medal win in the 1972 Olympics in Munich. The Trust helps support talented young sportsmen and sportswomen, both disabled and abled bodied from all sections of the community in Northern Ireland, to fulfil their sporting dreams and ambitions. The Trust selects promising athletes, financially supports them to help develop their pathway to success, making a real difference as they achieve success and enjoy the benefits of sport.
R-City Belfast - the Award was accepted by Senior Manager Alan Waite and Donovan Evit
R-City Belfast (Communities Integrating Through Youth) is inextricably linked to community partners within Ardoyne, Shankill and Clonard and evolved from an idea to develop skills and opportunities for young people into a wide ranging and multi-facetted initiative. It is an award winning organisation working to deliver creative and innovated pathways for young people.
Harmony Community Trust - the Award was accepted by PP David Boyd, HCT Honorary Treasurer
Harmony Community Trust is a cross community organisation founded in1975, to deliver programmes and promote community relations and social inclusion, with a mission statement "to enable all people to explore divisive barriers and develop self-confidence to build mutual respect, tolerance and trust through positive shared experience".
PeacePlayers NI - the Award was accepted by Gareth Harper, CEO PeacePlayers NI
Peace Players NI use the power of sport to inspire young people to create a more peaceful world. They offer sport programmes, peace education and leadership development to participants and challenge hate that is driven by the fear of our differences. They bridge divides between people through the game of Basketball and develop young leaders who help to change perceptions.
Following this presentation the San Antonio Rotarians moved up to the north coast and presented an Award and Bursary to Corrymeela as well as 4 local charities selected by the Rotary Clubs of Ballycastle, Ballymoney, Coleraine and Londonderry.