Frome ‘peace builder’ Jo Berry is taking local young people to Romania for the Global Youth Rising International Peace forum, where she will be speaking and mentoring young people from around the world.
Jo’s charity, Building Bridges for Peace, began after she experienced the tragic loss of her father, MP Sir Anthony Berry, who was killed in the Brighton Bombings of 1984.
Jo began to explore nonviolence and the roots of conflict, and 16 years later contacted Pat Magee, the former IRA member who planted the bomb, when he came out of prison.
“I personally know what it feels like to want to hurt another person, and how that can become a cycle of violence and revenge,” says Jo.
“Through my work with Pat I have discovered how demonisation of the ‘other’ only perpetuates that cycle, and how real transformation and lasting peace can only come from finding our shared humanity.
“Developing the tools for resilience and a network of support can help with this. Taking young people on these life-changing trips, where they learn and share new skills, helps create new narratives that prevent violence and extremism.”
Young people from Frome will join 100 international peace-builders and activists between the ages of 18 – 30 at the ten-day event. The event offers training dedicated to empowering, supporting and inspiring participants who are involved in nonviolence initiatives around the world, including some of the most challenging conflict zones.
Jo continued, “Taking these young people to Romania will be a life-changing experience for them. Supporting the empowerment of young people and getting participation from them is key to building peace.
“Many of us feel frustration and powerlessness seeing the horrendous acts of violence and war and the individual and national responses to it.
“We are seeking another way. Through this and our other projects we can be part of creating the resilience needed to live in peace, and promoting nonviolent ways of resolving conflict.”
Building Bridges for Peace is running an appeal to raise money for the trip via www.totalgiving/appeals/romania.
The funds raised will take Jo and Jaz, a trustee and young trainer, to Romania along with young people from Frome and Tower Hamlets. Jo will mentor the young people before and afterwards, supporting the integration of the skills they learn.
Anyone interested in taking part in the Building Bridges for Peace young ambassadors’ programme can get in touch via the website, www.buildingbridgesforpeace.org or Facebook.
