A Day of Private Reflection

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Thursday 21 June 2007, is the initial Day of Private Reflection - a day of personal and private reflection on the conflict in and about Northern Ireland

Thursday, 21 June 2007 is an initial Day of Private Reflection. People from Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Republic of Ireland and further a field are invited to reflect, individually and privately, upon the conflict in and about Northern Ireland and the future that is before us.

What is the Day of Private Reflection?

People on a hazy beach

Research and consultation suggests The Day of Private Reflection can benefit both individuals and wider society.

This initial Day of Private Reflection on Thursday, 21 June 2007 is an initiative proposed by Healing Through Remembering (HTR), a cross-community organisation focussed on ways of dealing with the past relating to the conflict in and about Northern Ireland.

The idea for private reflection was part of an original recommendation made in 2002 in the Report of the Healing Through Remembering Project June 2002. This report followed a public consultation on ways of dealing with the past.

The Day of Private Reflection on 21 June 2007 is offered as a day for personal, private and individual reflection, for example, at home or at work, within a family, group or organisation. Public events will not be a feature of the Day.

It provides a voluntary opportunity for everyone in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain to reflect upon the conflict in and about Northern Ireland and the future that is before us.

Purpose of the Day of Private Reflection

Why 21 June?

21 June was chosen following thorough consideration into possible dates for such a day. There is no single date in the calendar year which is not the anniversary of the death of at least one person in relation to the conflict.

It was felt that 21 June, the summer solstice and the longest day of the year, was a symbolically important day. The ebbing relationship between the hours of light and day could be seen as a symbol of the pain and hope in our society.

It is a day that is forward-looking and backward-looking at the same time. It is a day which represents a pause in the cycle of nature, a moment to reflect.

Furthermore, the day's significance is related to a naturally occurring event and nature makes no distinction between races, creeds or political perspectives.

The Day of Private Reflection offers an opportunity for us all:

  • to acknowledge the deep hurt and loss caused by the conflict in and about Northern Ireland
  • to remember the men, women and children who on a daily basis live with the consequences of the conflict
  • to reflect on our own attitudes that might have the potential to negatively impact on others and society,
  • to reflect on what more each of use might have done or might still do to uphold and enhance all other people's right to life and quality of life, and
  • to make a personal commitment that, as we begin to move forward as a society, such loss should never be allowed to happen again.

Principles and Values of the Day of Private Reflection

The Day of Private Reflection is offered as an inclusive and positive event that emphasises a commitment to a peaceful new society. Itis underpinned by an inclusive and sensitive approach which:

  • respects differing views, political aspirations, and perspectives on the conflict;
  • recognises and accepts that there are diverse views on a Day of reflection and that not everyone can or will feel able to participate;
  • encourages a positive and respectful way of reflecting on our past;
  • promotes support and is a source of strength to those who have been most adversely affected by the conflict; and
  • reaches out to people in Northern Ireland, including those from different ethnic backgrounds, the Republic of Ireland, and Great Britain.

Effects of the Day of Private Reflection

We hope the Day of Private Reflection will:

  • be perceived as a source of strength and support to those most affected by the conflict;
  • continually challenge individuals and society to reflect on the past and its consequences on individuals, communities and society as a whole;
  • increase understanding of our collective hurts as a result of the conflict; and
  • be perceived as making a positive contribution to healing the hurts of our society and moving forward to a better future.

Ways of Reflecting

Materials

A number of information, guidance and promotional materials for the Day of Private Reflection have been developed.

All resources are free of charge, including postage and packaging.

Visit the website or contact the HTR Offices on +44 (0)28 9023 8844 to place your order.

While the Day of Private Reflection is not intended to be prescriptive the following are some suggestions, made by groups and individuals, of ways of reflecting that you may like to consider:

  • A moment of silence
  • Reading an appropriate poem
  • Sharing your story or listening to someone else's story
  • Saying a prayer
  • Meditation
  • Recording your memories and hopes in a book or journal
  • Visiting a place of worship or other reflective place

Further information

The Day of Private Reflection is an initiative of Healing Through Remembering and its Day of Reflection Sub Group.

Healing Through Remembering is a cross-community organisation focused on ways of dealing with the past relating to the conflict in and about Northern Ireland. The organisation is made up of a range of individuals from different political perspectives and social experiences and has been in existence since 1999.

Healing Through Remembering
Alexander House,
17a Ormeau Avenue,
Belfast BT2 8HD

t: 028 9023 8844
f: 028 9023 9944
e: info@dayofreflection.com
w: www.healingthroughremembering.org


Healing Through Remembering | Lainey Dunne | 02 May 2007
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