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Day of Reflection:
Thursday 21 June 2012

A Day of Reflection: A Day for personal and private reflection on the conflict in and about Northern Ireland. A Day to acknowledge the deep hurt and pain caused by the conflict, to reflect on our own attitudes, on what more we might have done or might still do, and to make a personal commitment that such loss should never be allowed to happen again.


Day of Reflection: Thursday 21 June 2012

Thursday 21 June 2012 is the Day of Reflection. Healing Through Remembering is inviting people from Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Republic of Ireland and further afield to reflect, individually and privately, upon the conflict in and about Northern Ireland. It provides a voluntary opportunity for everyone to begin to both remember the past and to look to a better future.


Proposal

The decision to proceed with this initial Day of Reflection was reached following careful consideration of a number of responses received by HTR and its Day of Reflection Sub Group to proposals for an initial Day of Reflection. In light of this work and despite clear challenges, HTR believe that a Day of Reflection at this time has the potential to make a positive contribution to both individuals and society in healing the hurts of the past and offering a vision of a better future for all.

The Day of Reflection on 21 June is offered as a day for personal, private and individual reflection.

People are encouraged to reflect individually; for example, at home or at work, within a family, group or organisation.


Why 21 June?

The date was chosen following thorough research into possible dates for such a day. This research highlighted that 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.

A range of dates were considered before deciding on 21 June. It was felt that 21 June, the summer solstice and the longest day of the year, might be an option. It was felt that this was a symbolically important day because of the ebbing relationship between the hours of light and day - 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.


Website and Resources

Full details on the Day of Reflection and resources available are featured on www.dayofreflection.com. Further information is also available from the HTR offices.


Message from the HTR Chairman on behalf of the HTR Board

Whilst we are inviting people to participate and engage with the Day of Reflection we recognise that this day and date will have particular resonance and significance for a number of families and individuals.

We endeavour to ensure that the Day of Reflection will be an inclusive and positive event for those who wish to participate. However, if you feel this day, and in particular this date, is a sensitive one for you please contact HTR Director, Kate Turner, on +44 (0)28 9023 8844 to discuss this in confidence.