Print Page Text Size:Reduce size Increase size

Day of Reflection - Overview

Original Recommendation

The Healing Through Remembering Report of 2002 recommended an annual Day of Reflection be established. The day would serve as a universal gesture of reconciliation, reflection, acknowledgement and recognition of the suffering of so many arising from the conflict in and about Northern Ireland.

The specific purposes of the Day of Reflection would be to:

- Allow the people of Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain an opportunity to remember all those who have been adversely affected by the conflict in and about Northern Ireland;
- Learn lessons arising from that conflict;
- Provide an opportunity for people to remember the events of the past in a non-confrontational, dignified and respectful manner;
- Provide society with an occasion to acknowledge and recognise the suffering of so many arising from the conflict in and about Northern Ireland;
- Initially be a day for private individual reflection, but develop towards ensuring a collective and public dimension whereupon many—sometimes from opposing perspectives—would be remembered and commemorated on the same day, and
- Undertake peace building, contemplative reflection and community relations’ activities and events. Respectful and collective commemorative projects could be co-ordinated in every Local Council area throughout the islands.

Please click here to find out what current projects the Day of Reflection Sub Group are working on.