Tag Archives: Northern Ireland peace

by | April 21, 2010 · 12:52 pm

LDP Weekend at PeacePlayers International-Northern Ireland!

This Springs LDP team!

This weekend, PPI-NI had its second Leadership Development Programme (LDP) residential of the year. The residential was the second of three in the YMCA Ireland’s Reconciliation and Peace Peer (RAPP) course.

Twelve participants from interface communities in North, West and East Belfast participated in the three day residential at the Life Adventure Centre in Enniskillen. This stage of RAPP was focused on exploring the many identities that exist in Northern Ireland. Through workshops on history, community relations and child protection, the young people involved furthered their goals of becoming youth and community outreach workers in their respective areas.

A bit of LDP rafting fun

Daryl Petticrew, LDP co-ordinator and RAPP facilitator led the weekend. “It’s really inspiring to see this group gel like it has. This is their second weekend together and it already feels like a family. The guys and girls here are really excited about LDP and the opportunities it can offer both in their career goals and in helping their areas.”

In addition to the workshops, the weekend included an afternoon of teambuilding exercises ranging from puzzles, to archery, to raft building. Although the water was far from warm, the spirits were high amongst the group.

The next residential is the weekend of April 30th. After this final residential, PPI-NI is excited have a new class of LDP graduates.

Sweet to the beat indeed……

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by | March 17, 2010 · 1:26 pm

The PPI-NI LDP Kicks Off 2010!

Discussing ways of addressing sectarianism.

On the weekend of the 12th-14th March, PeacePlayers International – Northern Ireland held its first Leadership Development Programme residential of 2010. The residential was held at the Greenhill YMCA, in County Down. The group brought together young leaders from North, East and West Belfast, which created a unique group dynamic. The 13 participants completed the first of a set of three residentials to obtain a “Reconciliation and Peace Peer” Level 2 Open College Network (OCN) qualification. On the first weekend, which focused on group trust, identity and peer education, the group came together as if they had been friends forever, making the discussions much more open and creating a great atmosphere for group participation.

LDP members hard at work in the Reconciliation and Peace Peer course.

As well as gaining a qualification, the group had the opportunity to take part in the “Greenhill Challenge.” The group was split into 3 teams, with each set a number of tasks and teambuilding activities to complete with an emphasis on working together.
On the final day, whilst exhausted by a long and active weekend, the group was keen to know more about up and coming residentials.

Though it was the first residential of the year, the group worked together like they were old friends.

Another feature of the weekend was the role of local coordinator Darryl Petticrew. A year ago Darryl sat in the same seat as a participant of the Reconciliation and Peace Peer course. This time, he was delivering the course as a facilitator. This was Darryl’s first time facilitating and delivering an accredited course. “The weekend went very well with a few minor hiccups but wouldn’t have been as successful if not for the efforts of the whole PPI-NI team throughout the weekend,” said Darryl.
The group will come together for the second residential on the 14th April 2010 in the LIFE Adventure Centre, Enniskillen.

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