The establishment of a conflict resolution centre in Ireland was discussed at a meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern and Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Dublin yesterday.
They also discussed the work of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission in building peace and had what was described as a wide-ranging and "very constructive meeting", which had been intended as a courtesy call.
At yesterday's meeting there was also discussion of how charitable work by the Irish private sector, at home and abroad, might be grown in a structured way, not least when it came to expertise in the efficient distribution of Ireland's burgeoning aid budget over the years ahead.
Archbishop Tutu was in Dublin to present the inaugural Archbishop Desmond Tutu Medals of Recognition 2006 to 20 volunteers in acknowledgment of their "outstanding contribution" to charity work in Ireland and worldwide.
The event was hosted by the Niall Mellon Township Trust.
Mr Mellon accompanied Archbishop Tutu at yesterday's meeting in the Department of Foreign Affairs.
A property developer and philanthropist from Rathfarnham, Dublin, Niall Mellon founded the trust in 2002. It hopes to build 5,000 homes in South African townships this year.
