THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL FOR PEACE STUDIES PROJECT TITLE: Messines Peace Project

The International School for Peace Studies aims to promote itself as an International Centre for Peace Learning and to establish at least three Peace Networks.

The School seeks to develop networks of positive action between conflicting communities in order to prevent inter-communal tensions spilling over into street violence, and promotes projects of positive benefits to interface communities. Networks will involve 'key influencers' from a range of community backgrounds and from those areas acutely affected by conflict. Networks will also facilitate the exploration of conflict situations enabling participants to acquire the necessary skills of conflict resolution.

The School draws its inspiration from the exceptional and exemplary display of unity that occurred between traditionally opposing Nationalist and Unionist forces from Ireland who, when confronted with a common objective, fought and died as comrades at the Battle of Messines Ridge, Belgium, 1917.

The International School for Peace Studies offers a venue and a vision for all in a non-threatening, peaceful setting where participants will understand first-hand the brutal realities of conflict. Through expert facilitation they will be encouraged to engage in educational experiential learning programmes and receive training and support in returning to their own communities with a view to stretching out the hand of friendship across divides.

"To embrace the story of Messines, its unique spirit of brotherhood and the rising above differences, is to set out on the road to freedom from bigotry and intolerance."

IRISH CENTRAL BORDER AREA NETWORK (ICBAN) PROJECT TITLE: The ICBAN Region Higher and Further Education and Technology Transfer Network This project is being led by ICBAN in partnership with further and higher level education organisations, private businesses and enterprise support organisations in the ICBAN region. The ICBAN region covers 10 Council areas, 5 in NI (Armagh City & District Council, Cookstown District Council, Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council, Fermanagh District Council and Omagh District Council) and 5 in the Border Region (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim,