I Witnessed a Miracle

12/24/2004

"Hope is a risk that must be run." - Georges Bernanos in "Why Freedom?"

I Witnessed a Miracle

We just received the the "End of the Year News from the International Child Resource Institute." This e-newsletter gives an update on ICRI's work in Ghana, Sweden, Nepal and elsewhere around the world. Included was a letter from Associate Director Lisa Shulman, "Witnessing Miracles in Northern Ireland: The Power of an Idea in Action." Lisa was deeply involved in Working Forum Belfast as a member of the Communications Team and tells this story about her experience:

"I witnessed a miracle. Along with 250 people from 22 nations, we had the privilege of witnessing history as Members of the Irish Parliament from the two key opposing parties, Bairbre de Brun, Sinn Fein, and James Allister, Democratic Unionist Party, appeared on the same stage for the first time ever in Belfast, Northern Ireland -- a strong step toward the possibility of reconciliation and lasting peace. Was it tense? Yes. Was it productive? Yes. How did it happen? Through the genesis and development of an idea that was developed and nurtured, shared and grown to make the impossible possible.

"The occasion was the Working Forum Belfast held to explore strategies for peace held by the World Forum Foundation in partnership with NIPPA - The Early Years Organization, November 17-19, 2004. It was a moment almost easy to miss, if you weren't aware of the nuances of the ongoing peace process, or of the history of "troubles" in Northern Ireland and the varied political parties....

To read Lisa's full story and the balance of the ICRI newsletter, click here http://www.icrichild.org/newsletter2004/newsletter12-2004.html

The International Child Resource Institute is a member of the World Forum Alliance, and ICRI founder, Ken Jaffe, was one of the early believers and continues to be a steadfast supporter of the World Forum. We salute ICRI for their great work on behalf of children around the world.

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