Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire and Children in Crossfire charity founder Richard Moore are among the speakers who will be taking part in the annual Féile Bríde peace and justice conference.
The online event will take place from Belfast, from 3pm today and has already attracted peace campaigners from as far away as Brazil, Guatemala, South Africa, Vietnam and the US.
Organised by peace and justice organisation, Afri, Féile Bríde is normally held in Co Kildare. However, the coronavirus pandemic forced organisers to switch to an online delivery last year. The decision proved hugely popular so it was decided to continue with a virtual conference this year. It is expected next year’s event will return.
Keynote speaker, Ms Corrigan Maguire was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace along with the late Betty Williams for their work in establishing the Northern Ireland Peace Movement (later renamed as the Peace People). The Belfast woman has remained a staunch critic of war and the weapons industry.
Blinded by a British soldier’s rubber bullet in Derry when he was just ten years old in 1972, Mr Moore refused to let his injuries define his life. He has led a hugely successful life, establishing the Children in Crossfire charity to help children throughout the world. He has also, as an adult, met and become a close friend of the former British soldier who fired the rubber bullet.
Mr Moore’s work for change brought him into contact with Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama who has described him as his “hero” and “a wonderful son of humanity”.
Registration for today’s peace and justice event is free, with full details available at www.afri.ie
