Peacemaker Mitchell meets those who will keep it

Apr 25 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

Peacemaker Mitchell meets those who will keep it

SENATOR George Mitchell, the man instrumental in brokering peace in Northern Ireland, delivered a John Moores University (JMU) Roscoe Lecture at Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall last night.

Around 1,000 people were expected to attend the free event, entitled The Challenges Facing Western Democracies in the 21st Century.

He has previously said: “There is no such thing as a conflict that can’t be ended – they are created, conducted and sustained by human beings and can be ended by human beings.”

Beforehand, the senator presented JMU Good Citizenship Awards to Warrington teenagers Gemma Benns and Lee Beswick. The pair were nominated by the Found-ation for Peace for their work with young people in Ireland and the UK.

The two 16-year-olds take part in cross-community events with other teenagers in Dublin, Derry and Warrington in a bid to challenge stereo-types and prejudices which may be destructive to securing long-term peace in Northern Ireland.

Both have also contributed to their local communities, where Gemma runs a dance class for primary school pupils and Lee has set up a mentor and support system for bullied children.

Colin Parry, who set up the foundation following his son Tim’s murder in the Warrington bombing, was also in attendance.

Prof David Alton, chair of JMU’s Foundation for Citizenship, which hosts the lectures, said he was delighted by Sen Mitchell’s attendance: “His perspective on the brokering of peace in conflict-ridden situations, as well as his views on other global challenges and the US presidential elections, will make this a memorable and hugely significant lecture.”

Sen Mitchell is on the board of lecture sponsors DLA Piper, the legal firm, which held its quarterly meeting in the city yesterday.