A delegation from Coventry visited Northern Ireland to discuss peace-building in communities.
The trip to Armagh for the Peace in Practice Conference followed a visit to Coventry last year by the city’s Triangle Housing.
The delegation included Cllr Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy Leader of Coventry City Council; Lord Mayor of the City of Coventry Cllr Rachel Lancaster; Caroline Brogan, of the Coventry Irish Society; Rebecca Bollands, Head Teacher of Earlsdon Primary School; and Pru Porretta, of the Godiva Trust.
Cllr Khan addressed the conference on Civic Leadership and its role in supporting peace, while Caroline spoke on Peace Through Community Leadership, and Pru spoke on Shared heritage, culture and storytelling.
Rebecca, who helped to establish the Coventry Peace Award for Schools, spoke on Education as a Foundation for Peace.
Other delegates included representatives of Housing for All in Northern Ireland, Liverpool University, the Centre for Peace and the International School for Peace Studies.
Cllr Khan said: “We were honoured to represent the city of Coventry and continue its work as a city of peace and reconciliation to see how we can work with our friends in Armagh to build united, peaceful communities and inspire others to do the same.
“The message from the conference was clear – that cities are made strong by their people, and we must always work to bring communities and individuals together. That is how peace-building starts.”
The group also visited both Cathedrals of St Patrick and went out in the city to talk to different community groups to see the work for peace taking place.
The aim is now to continue to build links between the two cities, their communities and schools.