National Justice and Peace Network - Peace Grows Around Tables
Reflection written by Bernie Goddard, Engagement Officer of Million Minutes
At the beginning of summer I made my way to the annual National Justice and Peace Network Conference for the weekend. The theme of the conference was “Just talk” and Brian O’Toole opened the Friday evening speaking on the importance of dialogue, deep listening with intent and how every voice deserves to be heard. We were also reminded of how peace grows around tables and not walls which is important to our work and ensuring the voices of young people have a seat at the table. Brian reminded us that those not at the table are often on the menu. What a great way the set up the weekend ahead.
Saturday started with Billy Vaughan from Quakers in Britain who spoke about dialogue, freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest. He spoke about democracy and the right to protest peacefully as a demonstration of dialogue. To peacefully protest is an act of visible concern and shouldn’t be treated as dangerous or suspicious make their concerns visible. Billy also reminded us about the importance of keeping the capital letter in “Just talk” which can allow “Just action”.
This then led into a panel discussion led by Sir John Battle on the subject of “Listening in local practice: Encountering others”. The panel considered how communities can overcome division by creating opportunities for people from different backgrounds and beliefs to meet. Bringing together people from communities to learn together and understand other views and experiences, to normalise encounters outside the circles they are used to hearing. Drawing on what unites and no what divides, allowing a better understanding of not always needing to agree on the same things and helping to eradicate fear but create opportunities for joint action.
The afternoon was an opportunity to attend workshops on various subjects to learn and explore social justice. I started off by attending a workshop lead by Brian O’Toole on information, misinformation and disinformation, looking at what we see and hear and how we can discern justly what is truth, mistake or intentionally misleading. Looking at the importance of knowing the difference in our world today.
Sunday morning, we heard from Fay from PeaceJam UK and Michael from Citizens UK. PeaceJam UK brings together Nobel Peace Prize winners and young people through mentoring to change the world. Fay spoke about the importance of young people having a chair at every table.
Michael shared about the importance of reaching out to people who we often don’t agree with or align with in our views. It’s important to meet the person and build a relationship before meeting the issue. To bring people to the table and not build walls.
The whole weekend was fantastic and one of the key things which has stuck with me is from Sir John Battle “We give the gift of our listening as service” which is a reminder of the importance of listening and the work of Million Minutes in listening to the voices of young people.
