Eight local students were among a group of 50 young people from all backgrounds in Northern Ireland, to highlight their commitment to becoming positive role models for change, at a reception for Spirit of Enniskillen 2008 held in Belfast this week.
The eight were - Sinead Owens, Hannah Fallis, Matthew Nevin and Ross Irvine who joined Lisa Monteith, Ryan Dempster, Camilla Jackson and Rachel Sheridan to explain to invited guests how they are developing their leadership skills to deal positively with contentious and difficult issues.
The Spirit of Enniskillen 'Explore' programme was initiated as a response to the 1987 Enniskillen bombing and inspired by the wish of the late Senator Gordon Wilson for increased communication and better understanding between all cultural traditions. His wife, Joan is the Patron of the Trust.
Uniquely in this field, SOE groups have the opportunity to travel, meet and discuss with other young people who also live in societies dealing with critical differences and conflict. Through comparing their experiences with others, they gain new and wider perspectives, of both host countries and problems at home.
The 'Explore' learning programme of the Trust caters annually for 50 young people in the 16-19 age range, breaking down into five project groups, each facilitated and supported by two young co-ordinators.
As part of the international Explore project, these young people – led by experienced young past-participants of the same programme - will find out how cultures overseas are dealing with their own community tensions and divisions. On return, many will then go on to facilitate learning and awareness with others, particularly through the successful Spirit of Enniskillen schools' Together programme.
Former 'Explore' participant, who is now a Spirit of Enniskillen Trustee, Dr Ingrid Hoeritzauer stated that from their work, the Project knew that there was a real need to honestly face up to differences together.
"Along with their teachers, we can see the excellent work that our young volunteers are providing in many schools across the divide', she added, " and we wish that the community as a whole could understand how positive this is and be as proud of them as we are.
"Having come through this programme myself, I can relate to how our young volunteers are so committed to this work. I would challenge anyone to come along to listen to these young people and not be filled with hope for the future".
'Explore' overseas host destinations for this year include Penobscot Job Corps and the School for International Training in the USA as well as youth exchanges with Cyprus, Sweden and Canada.
